Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-04-03
WILSON DEFINES.
STATUS OF ARMY
ON RIVER RHINE

WASHINGTON, April 1.-American
troops on the Rhine are subject only
to the orders of the president of the
United States as commander-in-chief
of the army, President Wilson Wroter
congress today in response to a res
oIution of INJURY adopted by the
house.
The American troops and the terri
tory they control still are governed
by the terms of the armistice, the
president said. He disclosed that
the American government has dis
approved plans to have the troops
and the territory placed under the
orders of the Rhineland high com
mission.
Field Marshal Ferdinand Foch has
no authority over the American
troons. the president said. Major
General Allen, commanding the
forces, "has full authority" Mr.. VIII
SON added. "to utilize his troops OF
the notice of the occupied district,
the preservation Of order and to repel
snv attack which may be made upon
him" Ao,;co ,,
forces in Germany on March 20
"were reported to comprise 1Zo OIL
7cers and 1876 enlisted men" :.
ssrThe American forces in Germany,
the president wrote, ARE at present
operating under the terms OF the
original armistice and the SUBSEQUENT
convention prolonging the armlstlce'
After the formation of the Rhlne-
land convention, the president saio'
the question arose as to Whether lts
ordinances should govern in the
American sector and the presenta-
tives of the state department. and
the commanding general Oh the
American forces in Germany were
instructed as follows:
""This government cannot ADMIT
Jurisdiction of that commission over
portions of Rhenish provinces occu-
MED by the American forces. Con-
seouently, neither you representa-
tive of the state Department. nor
General Allen should issue any ordl-
nances which conflict with or exceed
the terms of the armistice, when
the department (of state) regards as
continuing in force as to the United
States. You should, however, main
tain the closest touch with the hlgh
commission and endeavor insofar as
nossible to conform administrative
regime within territory occupied by
American forces to regime adopted
by high commission for other por-
lions of occupied territory. There
is no objection to your sitting in
formally with the high commission
provided you are requested to do so
nor Of continuing your activities, as
we'll as those of your staff, in con-
nection with special committees tc
handle distribution of coal, etc
Ordinances, orders, regulations, etc.
relating to financial and economic
matters, including those similar tt
one adopted by high commission
which it is desired to put into force
in territory occupied by American
I forces should be issued by Genera
Allen as commanding general Of
American forces in Germany, bu
only after having first been approved
by you. In general, endeavor to CO
operate fully with high commission
and avoid all friction with that body
| while at same time make it perfect
ly clear that you are still operating
under the armistice as before Jan
uary 10, and are in no way bount
by the terms Of the Rhineland agree
ment or the memorandum of June 13
1919, defining the relations between
the military authorities and the higl
| commission