New-York tribune., 1920-04-18

such an invasion. The request Of
the German government for permis-
sion to take such course found ap-
pfoval in Washington, London and
Rome, but not in Paris, and the ap-
prevail did not and could not consti-
tute q warrant without French con-
sent. And France at once and in
unmistakable terms forbade such a
violation Of the most essential ele-
ment in the document Of Versailles.
that which covered French security.
Obviously, If the Germans, without
warrant, could use their own
domestic situations as a pretext for
moving large bodies Of troops to the
Rhine they would not fail to find
pretexts and the Rhine barrier
would become q mere fiction.
German Strategy Wins
Notwithstanding this, the Ger
mans did move their troops into the
Ruhr. Again there is no dispute as
to the facts. Not only did they
move troops, but they lied as to
their numbers. It was a clever move.
from the German point Of view. 1t
was calculated to disclose the dis
array in the Allied camp. 1t was a
challenge to France to act alone,
thus inviting British and American
censute, or to submit and thus con-
sent to the consignment of the
Treaty Of Versailles to the waste
paper basket.
The French reply, the occupation
Of Frankfort and Darmstadt, result
ed in immediate British and Ameri-
can criticism, and the Germans used
this censure to provoke a collision
in Frankfort between French troops
and German civilians, who were told
that France was to be forced by her
allies to withdraw her troops. Mean
time the British government had
served upon France a document pub
licly reprehending the French for
their course and indicating absence
OF British support. A greater sue
cess for German strategy was in
conceivable. At last the victorious
alliance was dissolved.
French comment upon British ac-
ton reveals the depth Of bitter
ness which it has provoked. France
now knows that there is no longer
any real assurance Of British sup
port FOR the future. The exigen-
cies Of American and British domes-
tic situations have in both cases
resulted in eliminating a nation
which had, under the Treaty of
Versailles, undertaken to perform
certain duties in enforcing the
treaty. Henceforth, whatever
France is to obtain under the
treaty must be obtained by the use
OF French force alone.
But there is very much in The
treaty which no Frenchman would
have consented to permit to be
put into it had there not been
the express understanding that, as
counterweight, Franco should re-
ceive American and British support.
All this remains in the treaty to the
lasting injury Of France and to the
eternal profit Of Germany. Wilson
and Lloyd George, by the use of
force and Of promises, led the
French to make certain very grave
concessions, to agree to a treaty
which was enforceable only IL Brit
ain and America stood By, and both
have departed.
Has Not Disarmed
Moreover, the present hour is
critical, for the moment has arrived
at which Germany must, according
to the treaty provisions, disarm.
She has not disarmed, she has more
troops standing to-day than in July.
l914. She has evaded all the pro-
visions which looked toward depriv-
ing her Of weapons.
This does not interest the British
because they insisted upon having the
German feet at once and because
they proceeded forthwith to apply
the provisions Of the treaty compel.
ling the destruction Of the forts
along the coast. Germany has no
menace for the British, even if her
army remains large. It is Of no con-
Germ to the Americans for the same
reason. It does not affect the 1tal-
lans because they have no common
frontier with Germany. But it is
Of vital importance to the French
and to the Belgians, now awake
to the meaning Of recent events. It
IS matter Of life and death for the
Poles n1uava rnaranal H.,