The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-04-08
CLASHES WITH
HUNS IN WAKE
OF OCCUPAT
German Police Assist French in
Quelling Disorders.
Official Reports Declare Riots
Not at All Serious.
DUSSELDORF IS BOMBARDED
Advancing Reichswehr Troops
Use Gas Shells on Reds.
Are Rapidly Getting Control in
the Ruhr Basin.
Official Reports Declare Riots
Not at All Serious.
IS BOMBARDED
Are Rapidly Getting Control in
the Ruhr Basin.


wehr troops in the Ruhr basin is re-
ported by fugitives arriving at Frank
fort. according to a Paris dispatch
from that city. The Reichswehr is
also reported from Mayence as bonn
harding Dusseldorf with gas shells.
A new clash between Germans and
members of the new French expedi-
tion into the neutral zone is reported
at a place between Bad Neuheim and
Neider Wollstadt, north of Homburg.
A German officer is reported killed in
the exchange of shots.
Ten killed and thirty wounded in
clash between the French and Ger
mans at Frankfort is reported from
Mayence today. The clash took place
last evening. German police aided the
French invaders in clearing the streets
and restoring order. The French used
tanks in dispensing the rioters.
The use of telegraph and telephone
communication has been forbidden
the German residents of Frankfort.
Trains are still allowed to run but no
one is allowed to leave the city without
the permission of the French.
The military movement of German
government troops against the COM
munists in the Ruhr basin has virtual
ly ended. dispatch from Dusseldorf
by way of Amsterdam to London, said
today.
German opposition to Marshal
Fochs move is stiffening. The gov
ernment has appealed to the inter-
allied commission for prolongation of
the agreement of last August, which
allowed Germany to keep twenty bat
talions in the .Ruhr districtz(the soz
called neutral zone) until April 10.
The government urges necessity of
keeping troops in the disordered area
at least until July 10, after which the
allies could decide upon means to po-
lice the district.
Policing of the Ruhr district was
proceeding according to plan, officials
said. Organized opposition of the COM
munist forces practically had been
overcome.
Premier Lloyd George and his cabi-
net met today presumably to discuss
the occupation of German cities by
the French. The conference of allied
premiers and foreign ministers which
had been arranged for today, has been
postponed. 1t probably will be held
tomorrow.
Baron Scialoia. the Italian foreign
minister, expresses the opinion that
there was no possibility of the Franco
German situation causing serious diff
ferences among the allies.
Riot at Frankfort
Mayence, April s.-Official reports
relative to yesterdays disorders at
Frankfort where French troops clash
cd with German crowd, killing six
persons and wounding thirty-five.
have not as yet been received, and
accounts of the incident are being ac-
cepted with reserve.
A well authenticated report how
ever. states a force of 200 Moroccan
soldiers was surrounded by a threat
ening mob that gathered in Schiller
platz at about 1890 o'clock in the aft
ernoon. the officer of the force be-
came separated from his men and
was hustled off by the Germans and
the men. seeing his arms waving
above the heads of his captors, be-
lieved him in danger. One fired his
rifle and the others charged with the
bayonet.
1t is insisted that responsibility for
the disorders does not lie with the
whole population of Frankfort. A
Frenchman who knows the city we'll
affirms half of the citizens are favor
able to the French. quarter are in
different and the remainder are
hostile.
Say French Started 1t.
Frankfort, April S.-French troops
and citizens clashed here yesterday
afternoon. A number of citizens were
killed and wounded.
Great crowds gathered in the streets
after a ~umor had been circulated that
the United States and Great Britain
had demanded tfat France evacuate
Frankfort by 6 o'clock.
One of the incidents contributing tc
the fatal clash was an alleged attack
upon German reserve officer by
French officers.
The German officer said he entered
the Hotel Imperial. the French head
quarters, and was attacked by sever
French officers who threw him to the
floor and beat him with a whip.
The French officers accused the
German of passing improper remarks
Citizens began taunting the French
colonials. One patrol was overpowered
and disarmed. other French troops
then charged the crowd and for a few
minutes there was severe fighting
The number killed and wounded could
not be learned definitely
Tanks Cleared Streets.
Tanks armed with machine gun.
finally cleared the streets and restored
order.
Rioting had appeared imminent
thruout the day. Speakers harangue ed
crowds at different points in the city
and patrols were kept busy GispersinE
the gatherings. which were in viola.
tion of Gen. De Gouttes proclama
tion.
Y The French commander had for
hidden gatherings of any kind.
AT one point guard patrol arrested
number of Germans and started to
ward the jail with them. Crowds
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