Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-04-08
STUDIED STEP
Continued from Page One)

that RcischWehr troops superior TO
the electives fixed by the decision OF
August. Q. 1919 had penetrated the
Ruhr and had asked in the name of
The German government that the
formal authorization necessary to
that effect be given to the German
government after the act had heen
accomplished.
The same day at Berlin under Sec
rotary of State Won Iianiel informed
General Barthelemy who replaced
General Noett that the German gov
eminent had given entire freedom
of action to commissioner ScNcrln3
concerning the use OF troops concen-
iratcd for the purpose of operations
in the Ruhr valley and assumed the
responsibility for their action in The
neutral ZOnc.
The French government imme-
diately informed its allies of this
communication confirmed by its own
Information. calling attention TO The
fact that the German government
was violating Article Il of the treat"
"a violation constituting a casaS reii
and expressing hope that the allie d
governments would recognize lne
necessity of immediate action and
would lend assistance to France i'll
an effective manner for the execution
OF military emasurcs which could not
be avoided or deferred
1t was not the first time inc
French government had warned its
allies of that necessity. AS early as
March IS the French government
brought the proposition of occupy
ing Frankfort and other cities before
the council in London which ca
pressed the opinion on March - 1hat
The moment was not timely.
The German government addressed
itself directly to the French govern
mcnt to obtain authorization TO send
troops TO the Kuhr valley. The French
government had no reason to authorize
such infracton of the treaty. inasmuch
as its own information concurred with
that of its allies in deciding that the
military occupation of the Ruhr was
useless and dangerous.
Facts demonstrate that the intia-
tive in that operation must he attrib-
uted 10 the German military party. II
was kapp's government which took the
initiative. 1t was the military party
which. despite the strong objections
brought forward in the German govern
ment itself against the projected inter
vention, affirmed the impossibiity of
reestablishng order without additional
troops in the Ruhr
France was thus faced with a meas
IRE which, III the unanimous opinion Of
the Allies, could not be executed with
out previous authorization which was
not justified by the circumstances and
which the German government had
taken Il formal engagement toward,
France never to attempt without its
authorization. The measure took an es-
pecialy serious aspect owing to the fact
that the Allies had heer unable to OBJ
tain. despite their insstence. execution
of the clauses 81 the treaty relative to
German disarmament. The French gov
eminent thus acted in the general inter-
est as well as in the interest of France:
it was necessary that it should take in
''N~S'"u''NN "''' 'i'' way VI 't.
sailes' a measure Indispensable to it's
own security. There is no need to re-
call that it is RESOLVED to evacuate the
occupied cities as soon as the German
troops have completely quit the Ruhr.
The French governments attitude IS
justified by the action of the German
government. It does not modify, how
ever, it's dispositions toward Germany,
with which it hopes to enter into COM
mercial relations on basis of economic
cooperation from which the European
situation can only benefit.
Francs in taking measures for the
occupa ton was not inspired by hostile
thought toward Germany and reiterates
the assurance that it wishes to renew
with Germany as soon as possible nor
NAL relations on a basis of economic
agreements. 1t will express its readi-
ness to receive favorably any serious
proposal which might come from Ger
many in view of the fact that under
certain circumstances France might
even take the initiative in that direc-
tion.,'