New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-11
British Regard
French Action
AS Poor Policy
Repert That Washington
Protested the Ruhr Move
Was Used to Support the
Attitude of Aloofness
Future Not Yet Clear
England Prepared to Go
Alone, but Hopes for the
Cooperation of the Z. S.
By Arthur S. Draper

~
FROM The Tribune's European Bureau
Copyright 1890. New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, April 9.-The British have
been on the qui vive all week. Easter
Monday passed without incident and
England quickly turned its attention
from Ireland 10 the Ruhr district. It
was something of q surprise that the
Sim Feiners remained passive on the
fourth anniversary OF the BLACK Mon
day," and it was equally surprising that
The French began their march on
Frankfort and four other German
towns not only without the co0pera-
ton. but against the advice Of their
Allies.
The most delicate international stu
s.ion was developed overnight, and
even at this writing the future is not
clear. The profound silence of the
allied governments long after the
French made the dramatic move gave
rise to many rumors and it was diff
cult for the press and public to for
mulate any definite views as to the
sisdom or unwisd dom Of the move or
dered by Premier Millerand. One
group criticized France sharply, de-
cIarng the advance was inspired by
the militarists and supported by the
business interests to gain more terri
-ory, or. failing in that, to increase
the possibility Of the TO- nation of a
Rhensh republic.
Other groups defended France, en-
nhaszing the Importance of the mill
.sry trend in Germany and the viola
ion of articles in the peace treaty
covering the invasion of neutral zone
py German soldiers.
British Condemn Intervention
However justitiable the French &C
ton was. the general opinion in Great
Britain Is that il was poor policy. AL
though America is now practically
eliminated from European affairs it
was highly significant that American
comment on the French action was
awaited with the keenest interest.
report that Washington had pro-
tested vigorously was used to support
the British policy of aloofness. Italy,
even Belgium, kept out awaiting the
lead from Great Britain. French ex-
change reached new low record.
The German mark made considerable
recovery For the first time since the
eve Of the war, when the British gov
ernmen, was hesitatng, the French
press became critical Of England, Paris
acted as if new war had opened
while London remained tantalizingly
calm It was plain as daylight that
TWO conflicting policies were being fol-
lowed French and British
Meanwhile, Nom bers OF the league Of
nations. the ambassadors Council and
the Supreme Council rushed hther and
thither telephoning. tclegraphing and
conferring. Millerand sat tight in
Paris but close to telephone. Lloyd
George cut short his Welsh holiday
and hurried back to the assistance Of
Bonar Law, who has been hanNling the
the Characteristic of the Scotchman is
su5bomness. taciturnity and inability
10 make mo" mean yes"
Military Situation Improving
Berlin was furious, pleading and de-
FAINT at the same time The Germans
played to British. Italians and Ameri-
cans, and the rumor that their pleas
trough, forth vigorous protests en-
Unused Frankfort crowd to the point
where it attacked French troops, with
The result that the French turned loose
Their machine guns.
The military situation is rapidly i'm
proving but the same can hardly be
SAID Of the political situation Ger
'anly the incident cannot have helped
me Entente or improve the pros
poets Of the league of naoions There
sun are some knotty problems to be
solved before the last treaty is signed
and lot of conciliatory work must be
done. The British are fully prepared
rc