New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-08
General Degoutte Says the
Soldiers Were Forced
to Resort to Weapons
for Their Own Defense
Berlin Order Incites
Frankfort Clash
Rumors Current in Ger
many U. S. Will De-
mand France Withdraw


mand France Withdraw
MAYENCE, April (By The AS
sociated Press. disturbances broke
out in Frankfort to-day, but ener-
getic intervention by the French
troops restored order. From Ger
man sources it is learned that six
Germans were killed and wounded.
1t is reported that the manifesto
tions which gave rise to these Incl
dents we're due to an order original
ing in Berlin.
Ordered by Berlin
"The first day of the occupation
of Frankfort passed without Incl
dent, the reception by the popula-
tion being almost cordial" said
General Degoutte, the French COM
mander, on his return from a tour
of inspection. "Then suddenly, on
orders from Berlin, a certain fer
ment seized the population. This
ferment degenerated into aggression,
and our soldiers in self-defense were
obliged to use their arms. SO far as
l know, we had no losses.
"The incident shows how we must
watch proceedings in Berlin, and that
is why the events in the Ruhr demand
my whole attention. You cannot con-
slider what is going on in the Ruhr and
here apart. There is q close relation
between the events we are witnessing
to-day. The aggressions at Frankfort
Nand events in the Ruhr are attributable
to the same military reaction. OF that
we have absolute proof.
Royalists Seek Revenge
"The Berlin government allowed the
Reichswehr to invade the Ruhr dis
trlct unnecessarily, because it was The
desire of Kapp, Won Luettwitz and their
like. The coup d'etat having failed
only through the general strike, the
military party sought revenge on the
working classes and invented the Bol-
shevik peril in the Ruhr. 1t ought to
be known in France and elsewhere
that there never was any Bolsheyjk
peril in the Ruhr. 1t was simply
case of population of workers which
mates Prussian militarsm asking only
TO be allowed to work in peace. That
population was still at work in Essen
yesterday. What is happening now il
the result Of the Reichswehr occu-
patton
General Degoutte was asked /, h.
dld not think Berlin would withdraw
the troops from the Ruhr after tho
French occupation of Frankfort. and he
replied: Most certainly not"
Speaking Of the economic effects of
the movement, General Degoutte de-
clared: Here is a single figure, but an
eloquent one. Yesterday the Ruhr de-
livered US $4,000 tons of coal. To-day
not single ton crossed the frontier. I
leave you to draw your own conclu-
sions"
FRANKFORT, April Six Germans
were killed and thirty-five wounded in
an affray here to-day. Order finally
was restored.
The affrays with the French troops
occurred at different points in the city
this afternoon. At 8 O'Clock this eve
nlng order was restored in the city
streets, which were frequently patroIled
by troops. At o'clock Frankfort was
absolutely tranquil, by reason of the
rule prohibiting the inhabitants to be
abroad after that hour
The trouble this afternoon had {ts
origin in rumor which had spread
about the city that as result of pres
sure on the part of the Allies the
French troops had received orders to
evacuate Frankfort. The feeling was
heightened when students in automo.
blles harangued the crowds and excited
them against the French troops.
BERLIN, April 7 (By The Associated
Press).-A private telephone message
reaching Berlin late this afternoon re
ports serious clash between French
Colonial troops and crowds of civilians
IN front of the main postoffice in Frank
fort
The troops are said to have been an
noyed by the crowds, which continu-
ously jeered at them, whereupon they
opened fire, killing seven persons and
wounding many others, including wom-
en- and children.
u. s. Ultimatum Forecast
The message said the feeling Of re-
sentiment among the civilian popula-
tion was visibly increasing as a result
of the incident
Many rumors are current in Berlin
to the effect that the United States is
addressing a note to France de-
manding the withdrawal of the French
forces from Frankfort
The newspapers are yet appearing
in Frankfort and the city is entirely
without information regarding the
contents of the notes exchanged be-
Tween Berlin and Paris and other
events connected with the French oc-
cupation of German towns.
Berlin Sends Note of Protest
The German Charge d'Affaires in
Paris was instructed yesterday to hand
20 the French government note pro-
esting against the French occupation
If Frankfort and other territory on the
light bank of the Rhine. The note.
after referring to the contents Of the
French note of April s. notifying Ger
many that the occupation had been or
Tered. asserts that the occupation OF
he towns mentioned in the French
communication occurred before she
tote was presented to the German gov
I'VE must, in the name Of Justice.
'eason and humanity" tho Mrman
lote continues. make the sharpdst rro.