The New York herald., 1920-12-28

of decision by the Council of Ambas-
sadors here to-day. are face TO face
with the same necessity as existed be-
fore the Spa military convention re-
garding what TO do to make Germany
tlisarm. The limit set by that conven-
tion for the disarmament OF Germany
expires on January /. On that day.
%i,e Germans promised at Spa. their
~rny was to have been reduced to
100000 men.
IA despatch from Berlin dated yes
terday said it was officially announced
that 'the effectiveness Of the German
army had been reduced to 100000 men,
In accordance with the Spa agreement."1
Reports presented to the Council OF
Ambassadors at their meeting here this
morning which was attended by United
States Ambassador Wallace, by Gen.
Noilet. president of the interallied COM
mission of control, show that the German
army has not been reduced to any such
size. and. furthermore. that there still
exists numerous civilian organizations
OF distinctly military character through
out Germany. and particularly in East
Prussia and Bavaria, which the Germans
refuse to disband. alleging among other
things that the state of the country does
not permit il.
Other facts are understood to have
been presented to the Ambassadors by
Gen. Nollet to-day which again gave an
air of seriousness TO tho situation and
which caused the council 20 decide TO re-
port them to the Ambassadors respec-
tive Governments for whatever action
these Governments may decide to take
by reason of Germany's default of the
Spa convention.
Disarmament is. therefore, likely 10 be
the first subject discussed at the forth
coriing meeting of the Preniers in Nice.
with France already stirred by the dis
cussion in the French Chamber of Depu-
ties and probably getting ready To ask
for the occupation OF the Ruhr area az
she considers that the Spa convention
represented the last concession TO be
made 10 Germany on disarmament and
that violation by Germany OF this con-
vention would establish her wIiful inten-
ton to ignore the military clauses Of
the Treaty of Versailles. s. =.
France Holds to Rhine.
The boyle OF German militarisin as
raised by NJ. Lefevre last week will not
down. 1t has again become the subject
of feverish discussion. wherein the point
made by Andre Tardieu. formerly French
High Commissioner to the United States
ana later q member or the Clemenceau
Cabinet. in the debate in the Chamber of
Deputies. that France would continue in
definitely the Rhine occupation in conse-
cuence of the failure OF the American
ana British alliance treaties. commands
the centre of attention.
There Is no question that the do
bate greatly excited France. and will
compel the Government In the forth
coming conference OF the allied Premier.
IN Nice to assume n stronger policy
This Is likely to include a request that
French troops be allowed to take over
the Cologne and the Coblenz bridge
heads In addition to their own should
the troops OF the United States and
Great Britain be withdrawn. also that
the occupation of Mayence be continued
beyond the fifteen year period should
Germany fail to live UP to the treatS
terms.
The British troops are due to leave
the Cologne area In another three years
according to the treaty terms.
Great doubt Is expressed here that
the Harding Administration would con-
tinue the Coblenz occupation beyond
next year. particularly II the United
States makes a separate peace with
Germany.
This Is what has caused new attei-
tion to be drawn to NJ. Tardieus de-
scription OF what took place at the meet
ing Of the big Four when President
Wilson and Premier Lloyd George
promised the American and the British
treaties OF alliance in return for Pre-
niicr Clemenceau consenting TO the fix
ing of definite limit TO the bridgeE ad
occupations. VI. Tardieu's contention
M I'M II lr~ ssrl.
newspapers. he returned TO the attack
this morning In long article in which
he insists that President Wilson and
Premier Lloyd George agreed 10 add a
last sentence 10 Article 429 to provide
for any possible failure of their alliance
treaties In their respective Parliaments
and that Il is In virtue of this sentence
that France now has the right TO con-
tinue the occupation until she Is sat-
isfied with Ge-many's attitude and her
execution OF the treaty. the two alliance
treaties having. through the action OF
the United states. conccdedly failed.
Articles I'm Question.
TArticlc f2s says: "As guarantee
FOR the execution OF the present treaty
by Germany the German territory situ-
ated on the west bank OF the Rhine, to-
Rether with the bridgeheads will be oc-
troops for a period OF fifteen years from
the coming into force of the present
treaty"
fArticle 42s provides that under GER
tain conditions the bridgehead at Cologne
and specified territories along the Ruhr,
the Rhine and the Abr shall be evacu-
atod In five years: the Coblenz bridge
head IN ten years and the Mainz and
I<ehi bridgeheads and the remainder OF
German territory under occupation In
fifteen years, and adds:
T"1f at that date the guarantees
against unprovoked aggression by Ger
rrrny are not considered sufficient by
the Allied and Associated Governments
the evacuation Of the occunying troops
may be delayed TO the extent regarded
as necessary for the purposes OF obtain
ing tho required guarantees."l
The occupation can be continued until
there exists other guarantees TO take the
place OF the treaties of alliance" M.
Tardieu says. Then. summinR up the
situation. he continues:
I'm word, with no treaties OF guar