The New York herald., 1920-01-24
French Press Holds Opposi-
ton of Public Opinion Will
Prevent Operation.
MILITARY MOVE IS HINDERED
Germany Would Refuse 10 Allow
Allied Forces to Use Her
Railways.
By JULIAN HARRIS.
(Spectdl Gable to the Herald.


PARIS, FTioay.-The certain collapse OF
the British schemes for. trade with the
Russian peasants and for military opera
tions against the Boisheviki Is predicted
by practically the entire French. press.
This French view is based on the strength
OF public opinion on both sides OF the
Channel.
In official French circles It was declared
today that there would be great difficulty
N carrying on military opera tions on the
western frontier OF Russia by the fact
mat Germany probably would refuse to
consent TO the movement Of allied troops
through German territory on the ground
of neutrality. Now that peace is estab-
lished between Great Britain, France and
Germany. well informed Frenchmen as
sert that, despite the peace treaty and the
covenant of the League of Nations, Germ
any is in u position where she can refuse
the Allies permission 10 send troops
through her territory and that she can
make a stron1 stand for neutrality.
II is held that the Allies could not. in
the face of their criticism of Germany in
Connection with the invasion of Belgium
and Luxembourg in the early days OF the
war, insist on Germany permitting the
use of her railroads for the transporta-
tion of troops for military operations
against Russia
French observers declare that this
situation would have an important bear
ing on the development of the British
schemes. especially in view of the fact
tha tthe use of the German railroads
would be an important factor in the
Russian operations.
They said that troop movements by
transport would be slow and costly, as
was proved in the European war.
= French newspapers continue 10 assert
that the British schemes would aid only
Il zsx..-
LLOYD Georges scheme for trade relations
with Russia through Russian co-opera-
tive societies and demands complete
statement by the British regarding their
Intentions 1t declares that if the Lloyd
George Russian trade scheme is put into
effect the Bolshevki will be able to buy
cotton goods from Manchester mills and
Sheffield steel with which to continue
the war.
Revisions OF the regulations covering the
work OF the allied military units in the
plebiscite areas probably will be the first
work of the new Council OF Ambassadors,
which meets for the first time next Mon
day. The Councils decisions are being
eagerly awaited, inasmuch as the view
here is that the work Of this new body of
the peace conference will be no more fruit
full of good results than was that OF the
now defunct Supreme Council. tf
1t is expected in we'll informed French
circles here that Germany will complain
of the abridgement of the treaty provi-
sions affecting the plebiscite areas. Ger
man opposition will be based principally
on the failure OF America TO ratify the
treaty and consequent failure to send
American troops into the plebiscte regions
Germany recognizes the correctness OF
Americas stand not TO send troops into
the plebiscite aroas before the Senate has
ratified the treaty.
Meanwhile. however. Germans are dis
cussing reports that the British desire
seven American military units for pleb4
scite work in the Danzig, Mcneil and
Schleswig areas. Combating this. the
Germans declare that, owing TO the state
of war between America and Germany.
the United States has no right TO more
than occupation of the areas assigned
10 her on the Rhine and certainly not 10
the benefits OF supervision in any plcb-
scits area.