The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-04-17
FRANCE FACES
TROUBLE ALONE
Friction Between Allies Over Oc.
cupation of Rhine Region
By French Forces
Not Removed

Paris. April 12.-Nothins has as
yet been decided as to Premier Mil
lerand,s attendance at the supreme
council meeting at San Reno, and it
was declared today in reliable sources
s that il the conference there was to
discuss the misunderstanding between
Feance and Great Britain, he would
not so at all.
A personal talk on the subject with
Premier Lloyd George would be well
coined by the French premier if Lloyd
George could find 1t convenient to
come to Paris, but 1t is considered in
official circles that as the point at
issue interests France and Great
Britain only, it's needless to discuss
it before the representatives Of the
other powers.
1t is held here that the British gov
! :ernmcnt in persisting in the discus
sion has put the matter IN form
where it is difficult to see what salts
faction it is possible to give. France
has not been asked to evacuate
Frankfort and the impression is gain
ing ground, it was indicated, that
what was sought above all is to dis
cipIine France.
The Earl of Derby. Great Britain's
ambassador to France, attended the
council Of ambassadors here today
The Hungarian treaty was the sole
matter under discussion.
Premier Millerand's reply to the
latest British note has not yet been
made public, but it is declared to make
no material change in the situation.
usexpresses regret that there has been
occasion for any controversy, but
points out that if France acted alone
in sher occupation move east OF the
Rhine, it was because she was left
alone in the face of a situation which
required prompt action.
The note assures Great Britain that
France is determined to remain :alth-
fui to the alliance. but it intimases
that the government can not promise
10 abstain from defending the :nter-
esfs confded to it when it's action IS
not contrary to the objects cf that
alliance.
The foreign office has not received
any further replies from the powers
TO Its notice of the occupation of
Frankfort but it. is learned that Ba-
rnns Matsui. the Japanese ambassador.
has unofficialiy stated that Japan has
no objection to the action Of France.
The softened tone Of the CORE
spondence with Great Britain is not
ed with some surprise, it was said,
that while negotiations over ques-
tfons disagreeable to adversaries of
the entente were conducted with q
deiiberation that was some times
wearing to patience, the British gov
ernment had established record for
rapidity in developing its grievance
against an ally.
Paris, April l2.-Eerbai eXpiana-
tions which may eliminate differenceS
OF opinion between England and
France relative to the advance Of
French forces east of the Rhine &C
xehabanied Great Britain's answer to
Pfen1ier Millerand's latest note, ac-
cording TO the Parisien. Other news
papers point out that it is to the .in-
ferest Of the allies that any contro-
yersy between France and Great Brit
ian be settled before the meeting Of
the supreme allied council at San
( Reno.
Premier siillerand was asked by the
British ambassador when he was go
ing to San, Reno and the French pre-
naier replied he would probably leave
on April 19. but would not settle def
niteiy the date until he had seen the
reception given his latest r re, says
the Echo de Paris. The premier in
tends to postpone any declaration on
the situation in the chamber of depu-
ties until the controversy with Great
Britain is settled, the same newspa-
per remarks, but, should it continue,
!; il is possible he may ask the French
parliament to approve the policy he
has adopted.
Decision to lift the tax of 10000
marks levied against the city Of
frankfort for aggression against
French circle chasseurs. is announced
by General De Metz, commander of
French forces in the city, according
to a Mayence dispatch. This is re-
suit of steps taken by the Burgomas-
ter of the city and on account of the
good behavior Of the people during
the last few days, it is said.
GENERAL WOOD