New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-07
4. S. Protests
French Drive.
London Hears
Troop Movement Into Ger
many Surprise to British.
Who Regard Situation as
One of Extreme Delicacv
By Arthur S. Draper
rom The Tr1bmne's European Bureau

= rom 1He Ir1orne'S European Bureau
CoOyriRht. 1920. New York Tribune Incl
LONDON, April 6.--The United States
is reported to have entered a vigorous
protest against the advance Of French
troops into Germany. Great Britain
is inclined to associate itself with
America in this attitude. The situation
is described here as extremely delicate.
1t was said yesterday at the State
Department in Washington that no pro-
test had been made by the Amer rican
government against the advance Of the
French t:oopse
The advance Of the French came as
a surprise to the British, who thought
that recent dispatches from Paris had
exaggerated French feeling toward the
operations of the German army. The
British desire to cooperate with the
rench. and in any questionable issue
With the former enemy they would GER
tainly side against the Germans But
IN the present inst tancc the British have
held steadily to the opinion that no
action was necessary.
The French explanations Of the rca-
sons for the occupation Of German
cities nave had unfavorable reception
in the British press. One newspaper
this morning suggests that perhaps
there was some excuse for the charge
made recently by President Wilson that
mllitarism was strong in French gov
eminent circles.
British Policy Unchanged
ln some political circles here it is
believed that the decision for French
troops to advance was reached bv
Marshal Foch and not by Premier
Niilcrand
Few of the British newspapers can
see any justification for such swift ac-
ton on the part of the French. They
hold that no troop movement should be
undertaken without prolonged eonsid-
eration by the military leaders of all
the Allies
British policy toward Germany re-
mains unchanged. The government be
lieves the stability OF Europe depends
upon prompt reorganization and that
every effort should be made to assist
the German government in the rcstora-
tion of order. The British appreciate
the difficult situation in which France
has been placed by the advance of a
Germany army of no inconsiderabl lie
, size into a forbidden zone and they
recognize the desire Of their French
ally for security, but they hold that
the policy being pursued at present by
the Paris government is shorts Ugh ed
and even dangerous
Whatever the governments do in the
way of reaching a common agreement
it is felt in political circles here tina.
the French decision TO act without
tie ac.ual concert Of her Allies will
undoubtedly react unfortunately on
Anglo French, Franco-Italian and
Franco American relations
Comment in London
To date the government has made M
public announcement of it's attitude
toward the French action, but past ex-
perience has proved that British
/ silence must net be interpreted as in
| dicativc of acceptance.
"The Star" says: I'VE do not under
stand why the French Republic is act
ing alone m this dramatic hour. Dc
the Allies approve or are they or the
fence ?"
The Westminster Gazette says: I'VE
are quite willing to believe that the
German junkers entertain the desire:
vhich generally arc attributed L them
Thcrc is no folly C Which they arc
not capable, but VIC must not exagger
Nte their influence and power IN Ger
many"
The Daily Express says: 1T is
clearly n sane course TO allow Ger
many 70 settle her own troubles"