The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-30

Az a great part OF the so-calied
~Red" army is in the neutral zone
into which the German government
may not move troops, France. ac-
cording to Chancellor Mueiler's an
nouncement today, demands the right
OF occupying Frankfurt and Darn
stadt, in return for giving permits
SION to the German government to
move troops into the neutral zone to
suppress the "Redr clan there.
REPLIES TO FRANCE
Germany has replied to France that
she cannot concede the right OF oc-
cupying the two cities as price for
her own right to put down . radical
revolt in the Ruhr district, even
though that district lies in the neutral
zone.
CoincidentaIly with the French at
titude. the independent Socialists
and the radical elements of the
trades unions are muttertng threats
Of new general strike In Use the
government uaes nAitAry force
radicais in the Rnhr dtstrict threaten
to hiew up the blast furnaces and
flood the mines. IL
However. despite the attitude o.
France and the new strike, tt~wAs
stated at the chancellors palace this
afternoon that tx the revolutionists
continue defiant after / 2 o'clock noon
tomorrow, the government troops
win be ordered to move.
Should the French move forward
and occupy Frankfurt aud Darn
stadt because Germany 10 endeavoring
to suppress a rebellion within her
territory, it Is declared the Mueller
cabinet will probably fall quickly.
WiIhelmstrassc Is extremely bitter
over tho attitude of France which 1t
is protested, is encouraging the
revolutionary elements In Westphalia
to dcfr the German governments ulti-
mAtum.
The temper of governmental cir
clcs this afternoon was 10 take en-
crgctic action and not only 10 disre-
gard France but ALSO to defy the
threats OF a new general strike which.
Il H. declared, would not be gen.
orally needed by the workers
NEGOTIATION ON
Negotiations between the German
governments representatives and the
French charge d'anaires here are
still under way.
The hope was expressed that the
French could be prevailed upon to
be reasonable"
The attitude of the Mueller cabinet
! IL that the prompt pacification of the
Rhur coal and industrial districts Ia
vitality essential to enable Germany
to meet her treaty obligations, es-
pecialiy the delivery OF coal to
France. failure to fulfil which. 1t is
believed. would be taken advantage
OF by the impcrialigtic elements in
France to charge Germany with
breaking the treaty.
Between Frances attitude on the ore
hand and the political sabutoging elc.
.ments at home ON the other, the new
cabinet finds itself in \ difficult posi-
ton on the first day Of Its Official life.
There IL no unanimity in the VIII
helmstrasse OH the status Of tho soviet
danger to Germany. The official rress
departm IL inclined TO sco0 Il il.
evidently because II fears that 1t might
injure Germany's chances for credits
abroad.
NOsKIs's INFLuENCE "a
Other government departments some
honestly and others possibly for 1 pur-
pose. are not 50 optimistic. There II
what Is described ~ the psychological
moment Of the Bolshevistic danger
: has passed for the time being. but that
much depends on the next few days
and weeks.
Gustav Noske. former minister Of
defencc) Ii exerting all his tremendous
determination and energy to force the
government out OF its passivity into 4
more energetic ALTITUDE toward the
revolutionary elements. The ultimatum
e the Reds" II largely due to hts ln-
huence.
Saturday night the new cabinet called
Noske into session Noske urged that !
IS dlrs .s 4. ok three men who enjoy the
thcrity 70 put down the revolutionary
cverywhere and ret the country hack
into state Of order. work and pro-
duction.
The climbing exchange rate on ths
German mark under the present cor
ditions rs the country continues to be
one Of tho great mysteries.
M 1xYIsfEa ~ N