(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15346, 9 April 1920, Page 5

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association)

dention, April 6

A Paris message states that the occupation of German towns by French troops Mas carried out without a hitch. The French found the districts empty of Reiehswehr, who retired 10 miles eastward of the towns n few hours be>fore the French arrived. The French advance guards were composed of half a dozen tanks and Moorish troops headed by General Desushielle.

Frankfort was in pitch darkness and the population were asleep. The troop;-; met "the ra.ilwavnien going "Lome," who -were surprised but not ci:*turbed. One .said, "You want to go to the railway station? Right; I'll show you the way."

Half an hour later tbe troops occupied the station, the Post Office, and other Gorman buildings, it ml General Desusbiollo was interviewing the Prefect of Police at his headquarters in the Carlton Hotel.

A hundred police volunteers who remained in the town were quickly disarmed. When the citizens awoke they were astonished to find the city in the hands of the French, but took matters •salmlv.

General De Goutte's proclamation stipulated that no strikes would be permitted ; that no one would be allowed out of doors between 9 o'clock in the evening and 5 in the morning; that the publication of newspapers would be suspended; and that all arms were to be given ur> within six hours. London, Anril 7.

The latest advices from Germany state that the- French occupied OffenTbach, Homburg, and Wiesbaden.