Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-12
INSTRUCTIONS SENT
T0LORD DERBY BY
HIS GOVERNMENT
Pertinax Cables Summary
of Message Regarding
Ruhr Situation.
BY PERTINAX.
Henri Geraud. Editor Of L'Echo de Paris.)
tBy cable to The STAR

Copyright 1890, by Edward Marshall,
PARIS. April Ill am able to send
herewith to America the first full
summary of the telegram of instruc-
tions sent to Lord Derby, British am
bassador in Paris. by the British gov
eminent. April S. and handed by him
to Premier Millerand of France on the
afternoon of April TO-
The British government first dis
putes the statement made by France
tnat she warned and consulted with
ner allies about independent action
sne was going to take: assuming that
the very fact that France uses the
words Independent action" itself con-
tradicts any such assertions. Then
the British telegram deals with the
argument used by France that she
acted IN the general interests Of the
whole alliance.
All Half Opposed.
The fact that all the allies, includ-
Ing Japan and Belgium. were half
opposed to the French proposal when
submitted to them in London is en-
phasized. The British government,
the telegram maintains, always was
of the opinion Germany ought to be
allowed to re-establish local order in
the Ruhr district and that in con-
sequence the supreme council in Lon
don adopted scheme according to
which the movements Of the German n
troops would have been watched by
allied officers on the spot, while Focn
would have been asked to define prop
er guarantees to enforce the plan
This proposition France rejected
several times. AS to possible effect
on the Ruhr situation of the eventual
occupation of Frankfort. the Tele-
gram declares that Britain had al
ways denied it's usefulness. knowing
that France thought differently. but
relying on the assurance expressed
hF Cambon in the London conference
and by Millerand in Paris that France
would not take action except in agree
ment with the other allies
Now the Frankfort disturbances and
the continuation of the Ruhr diff
culttes testify to the bad results Of
the initiative taken by France in con-
tradiction of this assurance.
First Instances of Acting Alone.
But the real problem. according to
the British dispatch, lies in the fact
that for the first time since the be-
ginning OF the war military action
was decided and carried out inde-
pendently by one ally.
The british government lays stress
On the necessity Of maintaining the
unity OF the alliance in all procedures
so1asslea twlth the. settlement Of
and in all matters arising in connec-
ton with the enforcement of the
pRAce tre2eys ~ s,l-eys 49,.
/ The, time is certain TO come, it says.
when no power acting Independently
Will be able to deal effe ectively with a
resoscitated Germany. Moreover, if
such Independent action became a
usual occurrence. says the British tel
eEram. the council Of ambassadors
which meets In Paris in order to carry
out the provisions of the treaty would
be deprived of its object.
Consequently Lord Derby has been
instructed not to attend any further
stttings of this council until satis-
FACTORY assurances have been received
from the French government that in
no circumstances will it act again
without having previously obtained
the full assent Of its allies
In the text Of the note when stating
the fact that all the allies are at one
with her Britain adds: There Is rea-
son to believe that the American gov
ernment ts of the same opinion.
ON New American Note.
So far no new American note has
been received here, but it is under
stood that Acting Secretary Of State
Polk read to Ambassador Jusserand
document, in which. after having
declared her adherence to the views
expressed on March 20. America sug-
gests that France. ought to give ex-
plantations as to the course which she
has taken.
The communication was expressed
In friendly terms Lord Derby ex-
pressed himself as being personally
satisfied with the reply sent by Mil
lerand to Britain already cabled to
America
General opinion in France is that
hitherto the Franco British alliance
could be compared to the alliance be-
tween a man and his horse, France
being the horse. The Independent ac-
tion taken by France is in the direct
line toward re-establishing greater
equality. She cannot forever be only
the burden bearer. The British threats
will be imperative because England
owing to the close connections of
Franco-British interests. will be un-
able to act upon them.
AS a matter Of fact Lord Derby at
tended the council Of ambassadors
Saturday morning.