AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11657, 23 October 1923, Page 5

AT AIX-LA-CHAPELLE

REPUBLIC PROCLAIMED. NO RESISTANCE. Router’s Telegram. PARIS, October 21. A Riienish Republic was proclaimed at 4 o’clock on Sunday morning at Aix-la-Cbapelle. 'All the public buildings were occupied by the Separatists, and the Rhenish flag was hoisted on the Town Hall. The German police offered no resistance. The Republicans have issued a proclamation forbidding resistance. THE NEXT MOVE MARCH ALONG RHINE. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association BRUSSELS, October 21. Paris advices indicate that Decker, an Aix-la-Ghapelle merchant, and a well-known Separatist, is the leader of the new Republic. Decker does not belong to either the Dorten or the Smeets groups of Separatists. It is stated that the Rhineland troops will now march north through the Belgian zone and afterwards towards the British zone. MOTIVE DOUBTFUL TO ESCAPE OBLIGATIONS? Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received October 22. 10.10 p.m.) BRUSSELS, October 21. The proclamation of the Rhineland Republic caused no surprise. It- remains to be seen whether the Rhinelanders sincerely wish to constitute the desired barrier between Prussia and Belgium and France, or if the action is dictated by the desire to escape obligations under the Treaty of Versailles.