New-York tribune., 1919-04-04
Council of Four Decides to
Neutralize West Bank of
the Rhine Under Guard
of French and Belgians
Military Security Provided
Blame for Delay on Treaty
Laid to French Claims for
More Than Protection

PARIS, April 3 (By The Associated
Press).-The Council of Four has vir-
tually decided, according to informa-
tion from French sources, that the left
bank of the Rhine will be neutraIized
until Germany has paid the indemni-
ties fixed by the peace conference.
1t is understood French and Belgian
troops will hold this territory, the
United States claiming it to be impos-
sble to leave American troops in Eu
rope after the signature of the peace
treaty and England having insufficient
effective troops to MAINTAIN garrisons
along the Rhine.
1t is surmised the visit of King AL
bert OF Belgium to Paris was not un-
connected with the share that Belgian
troops will be asked to undertake in
this territory.
One Of the American experts who is
constantly being consulted on various
following glimpse of what is going on
behind the scenes:
Full Protection for France
"The situation is extremely difficult.
particularly as regards the Western
frontier of Germany. President Will
son, in a conciliatory spirit, has been
willing to do most anything to assure
French security short of the stultif-
cation of engagements made at the time
of the armisticc
THE French have been assured of
every military@ protection along the
Rhine and for fifty kilometres (about
thlrty-hvc miles) east of that river
even to the extent of considering that
any military activity in that section
shall be looked upon as a hostile act
But this is not considered enough and
additional claims lead to the conviction
that they are open to construction as
meaning something more than military
security and verging on territorial con.
troll.
The President is not willing to
go that far in creating more Alsace-
Lorraine situations, and ;, it is this
stand against these claims which is
causing the delays until some mid
die ground is found"
Consulting Body Created
AS means of finding the "middle
ground" on the Rhine controversy. the
Council of Four created a consulting
body consisting of Andre Tardieu.
French, Charles II. Haskins, American,
and Viscount Morley, British. They la
bored until o'clock this morning and
then called on Colonel Edward M.
House before seeking the council. They
were not optimistic on the progress be-
ing made
Another of President Wilson's en-
tourage said the real issue was whether
the Presidents principle of self-deter
mlnatlon was to be upheld. The Presi-
dent, he said, did not regard this as a
principle which should be applied
when favorable to the Entente and not
applied IN all cases alike Just now it.
was asserted, the issues over Danzir.
the Saar Valley and the region west of
the Rhine brought up this principle
OF self determination, as it was not
clear that the transfer of territorial
control Of these localities would be
IN accordance with the wishes and
determination Of their peoples.
Belgian King Calls on House
King Albert of Belgium figured prom
inently in to-day's conference. The
Belgian monarch called on Colonel
House at II o'clock in the morning, and
later saw President Wilson before the
arrival Of David Lloyd George. Prem
ier Clemcnceau and Signor Orlando
The call of King Albert on Colonel
House was decided novelty, for which
veterans of royal procedure said thorc
was no precedent. The King wore the
uniform of commander in chief of the
Belgian army and was accompanied by
a staff officer.
1t is understood that King Albert
drew attention during his talk with
Colonel House to Belgium's vital inter
csts in frontier and other Questions
and also bespoke his interest in having
Brussels chosen as the seat OF the
league of nations
Concerning reparations, it was add
ed there were good prospects for an
early agreement. This will not spc
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