The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1920-04-09
NATIONS TO
time and he thinks it is now come.
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time and he thinks it is now come"
WASHINGTON, April 9.-America's
attitude towards any adjustment OF
the new situation created by the entry
of French troops into the Ruhr lis
trict of Germany will continue to be
more that of an observer than an IN
terested participant, from what can be
learned in official circles here. 1t is
known the state department was in
communication with London and Italy
as we'll as France up TO the time the
French army moved forward from the
Mayence bridgehead and there has
been no indication here of any change
in the position taken more than a
week ago when the state department
announced this government knew no
reason why German troops should not
be sent into the troubled district II
it were clearly understood they would
be withdrawn once order was restored.
While recognizing the seriousness of
the situation created by the independ-
ent action by France officials here
were not inclined to regard it as deli
cate" as the British foreign office in
Dictated last night. 1t was regarded as
one of those situations full Of poten-
tial danger but in which the probablli-
ties of adjustment were predominant.
All reports have indicated Ger
many's unwillingness to contest the
force of French arms and it was point
ed out there is no reason to assume
France will not adhere to her asSur-
ances that her forces will be with
drawn once the German troops have
fallen back to the eastern boundary OF
the neutral zone.
FRANKFORT, April S-Assertion
there was no intention to fire d ma
chine gun into a crowd here Wednes-
day and that the incident was really a
mishap is made by French officer
who witnessed it. Fear on the part OF
a French soldier that the crowd in
tended to rush the patrol in the street
led to the tragedy.
This man, it is declared. put a belt
of cartridges into the gun for the pur
pose of firing one shot to dispense the
crowd. The explosion of the gun how
ever, caused the soldier in charge Of
it to lose his head and the whole belt
was fired. 1t was explained by the
officer that every care had been taker
to prevent a repetition of the "acci
dent"
Guns Don't Wear Out Story.
Inspection of the Sc machine guns
brought to Frankfort by French troops
has been made and it is said none Of
them was found defective or to show
a tendency to fire upon the insertion
Of the cartridge belt. All Of then
were used during the war.
Accounts Of the incident have stated
the safety catch of a gun was defective
and that it began 10 fire automatically
as soon as the belt was placed ir
position. Twenty of those who were
hit during the fussilade were only
slightly wounded and were able q
walk 20 their homes.
BERLIN, April 9-The German reg
ular troops which had crossed the riv
err Ruhr were withdrawn yesterday tt
the northern bank Of the stream, it /:
announced here. (The Ruhr passe:
lust to the south of Essen in tbs
northern central part Of the industrial
district)
The burgomasters of the cities o
Barmen and Elberfeld, it is stated, re
uuested the minister Of defense not t
allow the troops to enter those towns
Great excitement prevails in Dussel
dorf in view of the threatened entr,
of the regulars.