The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-04-06

PROTESTS MOVE
OF French in Occupying Towns
in Germany Result Ber-
lin Troops Action.
VOICED IN "CLEAR TERMS"

London, April Ell n. SIT was
reported In authoritative quarters
that Washington has protested
| against the French occupation OF
towns in the German neutral zone
| The protest was said TO have been
made In "olear terms"
Colby Nothing to Say.
Washington, April 6.-Secretary OF
State Colby today refused to COM
ment on the report from London that
the United states has sent a protest
against the French occupation OF
towns In the neutral zone as result
OF the German government troops ad-
vancing into the Ruhr district.
II cannot say anything at this
Time was the only comment Secre.
tary Colby would make.
Not TO Harass Germany.
10 view OF Secretary Colby's re-
fusal to confirm or deny the London
report II was believed here that the
United States has let its opposition
to the French occupation be known.
This government has already pub
licly announced that II did not OBJ
iect to the temporary expedition OF
troops Of the German government
into the Ruhr district.
The opinion expressed in official
circles was that the French govern
ment was lll-advised at this time
and that Germany should not be
harassed in any efforts she may make
to maintain order In her own coun-
try and that every opportunity should
be given that nation to fulnll the
terms Of the peace treaty.
French Explanation.
The United States government is
in possession of an explanation OF the
French attitude In the present crisis,
II was learned. II was understood the
explanation was placed In the hands
of the ambassador 10 the French
government and points out the
French government does not desire
to take hostile position towards
Germany but declares that the
movement into the Ruhr district Is
the result of miltarist pressure upon
the German government,
The French government has taken
the position, accodlng to information
which has reached official circles,
that the occupation of towns In the
neutral zone is necessary In order
to impress upon the German
government that the terms of the
treaty must be fulfilled. Further
statement has been made by the
French government that the present
situation and the Won kapp revou-
ton could not have come about Il
Germany had been held to strict en-
forcement Of the disarmament provi-
sion of, the peace treaty.
Baker--"No New Orders"
= secfctttrs Of Wur Baker stated
that no new orders have been issued
TO the American army OF occupation
In Germany and that unless addl-
tional orders were given that the
army would continue to police the
Coblenz district.
President Wilson IL keeping closely
In touch with the entire situation. II
was pointed out by some officials
here today that the United States is
In an embarrassing position IN the
present crisis, because II has not yet
ratified the treaty and therefore II
can do little more than express It's
Views
Paris, April 6.-Tho question OF ex-
tending allied support to the French
occupation of German towns on the
outskirts of the Ruhr district was dis
council OF the peace conference today.
Bagh Wallace, the American ambas.
sador, represented the United States
at the meeting Just before tie sea-
sion opened news was received that
the French had already entered
Frankfort.