New-York tribune., 1920-04-09
Allied Decision
10 Fix Destiny
Of ALI Europe
Question Whether Germany
Must Fulfill the Terms
of Versailles Treaty Is
Now MomentOus Issue
France for Using Force
Berlin Laughs at Disarnn-
ament Clauses and Tries
to Hold Up Coal Delivery
By Ralph Courtney

Specfu. Gable to The Tribune
Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune, Inc.)
PARIS, April S.-The Allies are con-
fronted with the task of making a de-
cison upon which hangs the future Of
Europe. The situation, which may be
put in single question, is this: Is the
fulfillment of the Treaty of Versailles
to be seriously required Of Germany or
not?
Do the Allies purpose to force Ger
many to disarn,. according to her solemn
undertakings in the treaty?
Will Germany be called upon to make
a serious effort to deliver the coal which
French industry requires and which
Germany promised to furnish?
AT present Germany is fagrantly, in
the eyes of the French, laughing at the
disarmament clauses of the treaty, and
to prevent coal deliveries to France.
Premier Millerand is, therefore, now
calling upon the Allies to adopt an
active policy which will finally put an
end to Germany's refusal to abide by
these provisions of the treaty.
Peace Only by Force
France believes that there can be no
peace in the world unless the Allies
will thoroughly demonstrate that they
will use force against Germany if it Is
necessary.
The French government is prepared
for economic collaboration with Ger
many, but she demands that Germany
first abandon her attempt to smash the
peace treaty by force of arms and mil
Narlst maneuvcrs
E,,er
than half willing to follow the French
reading Of the situation. But it is
feared that Italy is drifting in the op-
posite direction. The Temps" this
evening points out the serious nature
of the decisions now confronting the
Allies. 1t says:
"The policy of action and solidarity
or of inaction and rumbling-that is
the choice which the Allied nations
have to make. If we attach such great
Importance to their decision, it is only
because. certain French interests are
involved. France can. it NAV be
thought, take care Of her own inter
ests, but perhaps the whole future
of Germany, as we'll as the equilibrium
of all Europe, depends upon the pres
ent decisions.
France wants her allies to insist that
Germany now keep her word. She must
by April 10, according to the terms of
the treaty, reduce her army to 100000
men. Germany is appealing against this
provision of the Treaty of Versailles,
and demands permission to keep a con-
siderable number of troops in the de-
mlitarized zone along the Rhine
France is solidly opposed to any re-
taxation in the enforcement of the
terms of the treaty, because she be-
lieves that the disorders in the Ruhr
district were caused directly by Ger
many's failure to disarm. She believes
the German government troops, far
from preventing disorders, actually
provoked them.
German Officials Quoted
She cites in support of this attitude
not only her own official reports of
events in the Ruhr district, but she
quotes German municipal authorities
themselves to show that their towns
are quietcr in the absence Of Reichs-
wehntroops.
French official circles express very
sincere regret over tho incidents which
resulted in the loss Of life and other
casualties in Frankfort. They say they
can understand how, in the face Of
the news that England and the United
States had sent France an ultimutum
to withdraw, German crowds should get
excited. At the same time they con
domn severely the cynical publication
Of this false news.
The Burgomaster Of Frankfort an
nounces that the disturbances yestcr-
day were caused by persons not resi-
dent in the city and the French reports
confirm that the affair was such as to
carry strong suspicion az to it's man
agemcnt. Alternating uso OF the ar-
guments that blood would flow if the
French entered Germany, an occupation
without incident would give the lie too