CABLEGRAMS.

Western Star, 9 April 1920, Page 3

CABLEGRAMS.

DELICATE ALLIED SITUATIONLONDON, April (5. It is 'asserted in diplomatic circles that Britain as recently as Monday reiterated the opinion to France thatprecipitate action should not be taken. Therefore the French advance surprised the British Government, and has resulted in an extremely delicate if not serious position among the Allies. Mr Lloyd George is cm tailing his holiday in Wales and returning to London to-morrow. A Paris message states that the occupation of the towns wasi carried out without a hitch. The French troops found the districts .empty of the Reichswehr, who retired ten miles eastward of tho towns a. few hours before the French arrived. The French advance guards were composed of half a dozen tanks and Moorish troops headed by General de Susbielle. Frankfort was in pitch darkness

and the populace were asleep. Gen- , eral de Susbielle met railwaymen going home. They were surprised but not disturbed. One saidi: “Yon want to go to the railway station? Right, I’ll show you the way.” Half an.hour later the troops occupied the station, Post Office, and other Government buildings, and General de Susbielle was interviewing tho prefect of police at his headquarters in the Carlton Hotel. A hundred police and volunteers who remained in the town were quickly disarmed and when the citizens awoke they were c astonished to find the city in the hands o¥ the French, but they took matters calmly. General Deg’outte’s proclamation stipulated that no strikes would be permitted, or anyone allowed out cf doors between 9 o’clock in the evening and 5 in the morning. Publication of newspapers would be suspended and all arms were to be given up within six hours.

LONDON, April 6

The Australian Press Association learns that M. Millerand will preside at to-day’s Council of Ambassadors at Paris. It is hoped to compose the differences between the Allies with regard to France’s action. It is understood that Britain md. America have not- yet accepted the view that the Reichwehr’s advance constitutes a breach of the Treaty, which did not contemplate a military odvance in order to suppress insurgents but merely military action constituting a menace to France. PARIS, April a.

The newspapers applaud the French advance, declaring that- the Prussian militarists merit a. stern snub.

Telegrams from Berlin state that Muller does not regard. 1 the situation as serious, because Britain and Italy have not yet been heard from. The French troops are now eighteen miles beyond the Treaty circle around Mayence. The troops number 17,000, including artillery. The French Rhine flotilla has gone to Hifnau, which the troops occupied. The French occupied all the public buildings in Darmstadt, including the palace. The • inhabitants obeyed the instructions in the French proclamation, and there were n(^disorders. ROME, April 6. The Cabinet has decided to give France moral support, but in no circumstances will Italy 'be a party to military measures.

WASHINGTON, April 6. It is understood that the* United States has protested against the French occupation of German towns. PARIS, April 4. M. Millerand, semi-officially interviewed, stated that the misunderstanding which Germany advanced; as a pretext for the entry of troops into the neutral zone, despite the Allies’ injunctions, and the brutality of tho attack, demonstrated that they went in bad faith. France would not be responsible for possible serious consequences, since she was convinced of the danger df Germany's intervention, and left nothing undone to prevent it. The authorities at Berlin had broken their engagements, and, therefore, must bear the responsibility for possible conflicts. M. Millerand is convinced that the Allies will wish to associate themselves in any measure Franco may demand to assure respect for the Treaty and to maintain France’s safety. PARIS, April 5.

Tho press regards the Ruhr coup as a, replica of the Berlin coup d’etat. It was engineered by the. Prussian General Staff, of whom the Government are accomplices or dupes. Their explanations are contemptuously received by* the press, of which sections Advise caution till the Allies participate, but the majority think the situation warrants Franco acting independently irrespective of the Allies. From London, Eome, and Washington it is understood that Britain’s attitude will be one of watchful waiting. PARIS', April 5. The French troops occupied Frankfort anti Darmstadt without incident. Tho German troops evacuated the towns at midnight. ■

LONDON, April* 6. The French occupation df Frankfort and Darmstadt is regarded with apprehension in the highest British circles. A loading British diplomat states that France’s action will probably crystallise the wavering elements in Germany and create the most serious menace to France since the Armistice.

Lord Derby conferred with Lord Curzon and left for Paris.