New-York tribune., 1920-03-21
trance-Hopes
For U.S.. Adm
German Crisis
Plea for Postponennent of
Disarmament Oppose d
and Teuton Delinquency
Blamed for Revolution
By Ralph Courtney

From, The Tribunc's Euyopea,, Bureo,,
Copyright, 1920. New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, MARCH 20.-France is much
exercised over the official request that
is expected soon to come from Ger
many for postponement of disarma-
ment. Public sentiment strongly op-
poses the extension, chiefly on the
ground that much of the present trou
BILE comes from Germany's failure to
the treaty of Versailles.
The question has been the subject
OF animated discussion In Allied CON
ferences. While no official statement
has been issued, it is asserted that the
British and Italians favor strengthen
ing the hands of Germany's legal gov
ernment by disarmament concessions.
~ France takes the attitude that, no
matter what government is in power
in Germany, it has not the right to go
outside of treaty agreements. 1t is ex-
pect,e;d that some compromise agreeable
to all parties will be reached, but, hav-
ing failed to obtain the support Of
England and Italy, France is especially
anxious to appeal to American opinion.
Dangerous Precedent Feared
Apart from the merits OF the par
ticular and present case France fears
that any modification of the strict let
ter of the treaty will establish q dan
gerous precedent. The essence of Pre-
mier Millerand's policy consists in per-
mitting no departure from the treaty
Whatever for fear of opening the way
to flood of notifications. Here are
some of the facts that France adduces
against postpOnement Of German dis
armament:
What were the real reasons behind
the recent coup in Berlin? 1t was
made possible because the treaty had
not been respected; the revolution
could not have occurred without the
Baltic troops. Upon their return to
Germany at the end of last year these
troops should have been disbanded.
On December 5, 1919, Noske esti-
vision" as nine battaions of infantry.
eleven batteries of field artillery and
one engineering unit. In reality, ac-
cording to credible authorities, these
electives consisted on February 20 of
eleven battalions and three detach-
ments of infantry, five squadrons of
cavalry, eighteen batteries of field az
tillery, two batteries of heavy artil-
lery, 427 scouting airplanes and five
eng lHeeIlHg unlCS. moreover, the Iron
Division" had wireless post two
telephone detachments, an armored
car section, tank section, fifteen train
units and eleven other units of various
kinds.
The "Iron Division" comprised only
about half of the troops which went
to the Baltic. There also were the
I'd Volunteer Corps, the Flehme group
and others.
Demolition a Camouflage
The French contenu that even where
there was pretense of rehabilitation
the men were really scattered in small
groups among country estates, that
they were fed, and paid in the form OF
exAenses a salary Of about eleven
marks daily. Each man kept his arms
and ammunition, and the officers re-
mained near at hand, generally at a
point where the machine guns we're
stationed. They were ready to assemble
their men at a moments notice
In view of the fact that Noske has
not played fair in the matter Of dis