OCCUPATION OF THE RHINE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18439, 24 March 1922, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF THE RHINE.

AMERICA’S CLAIM OF COST. Received March 23, 8.30 p.m. WASHINGTON, March 22. The State Department, in a Note to the Allies, points out that they cannot raise technical objection to the United States receiving a share of the cost of occupation of German territory on the ground that she is not a signatory to the Versailles Treaty, in view of the fact that Germany explicitly consented to priority being given to American costs notwithstanding she had not ratified the Versailles Treaty. The Note also points out that the United States will welcome the Allies’ suggestions for reasonable adjustment of the matter, but, pending such consideration, the United States hopes the Allies will refrain from the distribution of funds to the exclusion of the United States. It is understood America’s Note to Britain, France, Italy, Belgium and Japan states that the recognition and granting of the United States’ claim for the cost of occupying the Rhine territory is doubly binding on the Allies since it was at the urgent solicitation of the Allies that American troops were kept in Germany, also there is a solemn agreement between the Allies and the Associated Powers that payment of the cost of the armies of occupation should constitute the first lien on German assets, which understanding always contemplated the payment of American costs. The Note adids: Since Germany has not objected, there seems no basis for Allied objections.