The New York herald., 1920-12-03
NIVELLE DENIES HE
SPOKE OF ALLIANCE
Has Positive knowledge There
Is No German-Japanese
Understanding.
U. S. COLONEL BACKS HIM
Philadelphia Dispatches Mis-
quoted Him, Hero of
Verdun Asserts.

Gen. Robert Georges Nivelle. French
soldier and hero of Verdun, in an ad-
dress yesterday before the Chamber of
Commerce of the Stat. of New York.
denied published re "a from Philadei-
phia that in a speech there he had
warned of an alliance between Japan
and Germany, aimed at the allied ma
tions. especially France an America.
Gen. Nivelle said t'ere was no founda-
tion whatever for the statement, and he
was borne out in his d NAL by Col. Ray
mond Sheldon, assistant chief of staff
of the Department of the East, who
has been detailed by Gen. Robert Bull
laid as aid to Gen. Nivelle during, his
tour of this country.
Philadelphia dispatches published yes
terday in New York quoted Gen. Nivelle
as saying: Japan Is preparing Tor
something What it is l cannot say.
But Japan has an enormous war budget
and there are indications of secret pacts
with Germany. OF course, there is no
proof. but, nevertheless, it Will pay
France and America to watch develop
ments in Germany and Japan. for they
are friendly nations"
There is a report in the morning
newspapers which have not seem" Gen.
Nivelle said before the Chamber OF Com
merce. II am too busy to see the news
~apers. But this report from Philadel-
phia which says l referred to German
alliance with Japan has absolutely no
foundation. While l am not in the con-
fidence Of the Japanese Government
know that there is no foundation for the
report"
Col. Sheldon said that nothing which
Gen. Nivelle said in PHILADELPHIA might
be construed to mean what was attrio-
uted to him in the PHILADELPHIA des-
matches Col. Sheldon said that since
his assignment as aid to Gen. Nivelle
he has been with him almost constantly
and in Philadelphia was within rev
feet of the French conn iander all OF the
time.
CEN Nivelle related facts concerning
the economic situation in France whlch,
ho said were not generally understood
in this country.
at would like to give you" he SAID,
"informa ton which ] have received re-
Gently from NJ Millerand. former Pre-
miar and now President OF the Repupuc
of France. France was the greatest sur
ferer from the war. The richest terri
tory in France was devastated rms
territory had 4.467 600 inhabitants, or U
per cent. of the total population OF
France it's output of coal amounted to
"a per cent of the total output or
France its output of iron amounted to
90 per cent of the total output OF
France, and Of textile produces to go per
cent of the whole.
This territory has been devastated
and it has been a tremendous loss to
the republic. We will restore these
wastes: already we have achieved much
France is doing her duty in peace as
well as she did II in war France has
regularly paid her debts, but has re-
ceived nothing from Germany. her
debtor. She has advanced more than
% 600 600. 600 francs for the devastated
areas. about 5000 100000 frarcs for the
maintenance OF the army of occupation.
over 1000 900, 900 francs annually for
pensions and 25o.000,000 francs monthly
for her coal supply
Cen. Nivelle declared that the devas-
tated regions had been about 60 per cent.
restored. and that while OF 100000
houses destroyed only 100000 have BEN
partly or wholly restored, of 5000 fac
tories ruined more than 1000 had been
restored in Au@ust The expense 'e
said has been tremendous and - Ses
more than tripled. He pleaded tht Ger
many be compiled 20 pay her indein' ny.
adding that France naturally depends
upon her allies, especially our great
sister of Liberty. America"