Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-09
aid Mr.. Lloyd George "in . vote
snatching campaign"

aid Mr.. Lloyd George in . vote
snatching campaign"
Says France Acted Alone.
LONDON. April 8 (by the Associated
Press).-After a long conference.
which the French ambassador, Paul
Sambon. had with Premier Lloyd
George today, and a full discussion
OF the Franco German incident by the
cabinet council, at which tho French
ISM ministers. an authoritative state
ment was issued to the effect that
france acted entirely on her own In
itiatlve In deciding TO occupy German
towns; that Great Britain, the United
States. Italy and Belgium were all
opposed to the plan, and that Frances
actlon mas caused a delicate situation.
The matter is under discussion Of the
British and French governments. and
may be eased.
The statement recites various expe-
clients suggested for dealing with the
Ruhr situation. among others. the send
ing OF allied officers with the German
troops to supervise the German with
drawa!. Another alternative was that
the decision should be left with the
German government, with the stipula-
ton that unless the status quo was suf-
nclently restored the allies themselves
would occupy German points to enforce
tneir demands. The statement pro-
ceeds:
The German government appears to
nave acted precipitately. and France to
nave responded by adopting q plan
which was only intended as q last re-
sort method. and even then to have
been the affair Of the allies and not Of
any one OF them simply"
Great Britain, Italy, Belgium and
the United States. it Is declared. all
Ielt mat the task of restoring order
should lie with Germany. and all were
opposed to their regular forces be-
ing called upon. except as Jast re-
sort. to undertake what are virtually
police duties. 1t is pointed out that
France feared some Interior motive on
the part OF Germany. and doubtless
acted in good faith. but, adds tho
statement, tho immediate result 10
that the responsibility for her action
cannot be shared by the allies as q
whole. and certainly there IL no in
tention on tho part of the British
government to allow British soldiers
TO act as police between hostile Ger
man factions and incur all the odium
of such position. to say nothing Of
The statement concludes:
IF. and when. Frances suspicious
Of Gerrnany's Interior motives and de-
liherate haunting OF the terms Of the
peace treaty become accomplished
laClS, the AllleS WOulQ doubtless D
prepared to act instantly and vigor-
ously in concert to vindioate the posi-
ton and respect for the provisions Of
the treaty. But for the time being
it may be taken that no British SOL
der will participate in the occupation Of
German cities in the neutral zone"
Attitude OF the UAited States.
So far as can be learned hero State
Department action in regard to tho
Ruhr incident has been confined to an
expression OF opinion to the effect that
the German government should DO per-
m:tted to send into the Ruhr valley any
reasonable number Of troops necessary
to restore order in that section and to
maintain its supremacy.
An interesting development foreseen
hero are the measures that may be
taken to prevent tho recurrence Of SINH
lar Independent action on the part Of
any Of the allied power1 Since the
United States has no representative on
tho Rhine commission. is not = member
Of the league of nations and the COM
mander Of the American Army at Cob
lenx will not act without direct orders
from Washington. any steps taken by
Great Britain or her allies to effect q
moro definite understanding with
Franco must be without direct particle
patton OF the United States, 1t was in
dictated. 1t was assumed. however,
that Ambassador Wallace would CON-
tinue tho part Of An observer with lin
tied advisory powers