New-York tribune., 1920-04-04
Berlin Demands Frances
Permission to Move on
Communists, Millerand
Orders Troops Recalled
War Council Plans
For Drastic Action
Belgium Offers to Send
Troops if Necessary;
L. S. Will Not Take Part
By Ralph Courtney
Specid, Cable to The Tribune

Copyright, 1920 New York Tribune mol
PARIS, April 3.-Franco- German
affairs took grave turn to-day. It
is considered in we'll informed quar-
ters that the latest incident creates
situation which will necessitate an
advance into Germany. No Ameri.
can troops, however, will take part
in the advance; for their special
position, as outlined by President
Wilson, is fully recognized by the
French government.
When German Secretary Goebert
demanded an interview with Pre-
nlier Millerand to-day it was expect
ed he would inform France Of the
German governments intention to
withdraw the troops which yester-
day penetrated into the Ruhr Valley
without permission. Instead Of this
he informed NJ. Millerand that still
further battalions of German troops
had entered the neutral zone.
AT yesterdays visit it was declared
the government troops had ad-
vanced without orders, but to-day
the Germans offered no disavowal
On the contrary, they formally de-
manded Frances permission to take
military operation against the Ruhr
communists. NJ. Millerand ex-
pressed his great surprise at the
tenor Of the German demand which
was made after the declaration by
Germany that she did not intend to
send troops into the neutral zone
without Frances permission. The
renewal of the German request to
occupy Ruhr was also in face of
previous French declarations that.
besides other guarantees, France
would occupy Frankfurt, Darn
stadt. Hanau and Hamburg mill
tarily.
This evening after the visit of the
German secretary NJ Millerand sen,
an urgent summons to Marshal Each
and Andre Lefevre, Minister of War,
who hurried TO the uai d'Orsay.
There a consultation was held from
6 to s o'clock 1t is reported that
late tonight grave decisions were
taken in view of the impossibility a.
such short notice to call the Allies
together for joint action.
Just as the Germans chose ar
August bank holiday for the events
leading to the great 1914 war, they
are following the same tradition in
ther plot to. destroy another ''scrap
of paper" recently signed at Yer
sailles, it is said. Similarly. in the
present case, France and Belgium
stand alone before the German
menace. The French government.
is reported to have received assur-
ance from Belgium that she will
stand by France.
Meanwhile, messages from Ber-
lin state German troops are pouring
into the neutral zone with full gov.
ernmental authority.
Underground Plan Is Seen
The gravity Of to-day's situation be-
tween France and Germany consists
not so mucn in the renewal Of the
/ krHr D,., =.
the obvious intentions OF the German
government 20 push this question TO
crisis, French officials circles are also
puzzled to know Germany's real in
ientions. 1t is believed the Germans
are pushing some underground plan.
whereof the real authors are those who
were behind the Kapp-Luttwitz reYo,u-
ton.
1t may be intended to accomplish the
temporary destruction Of the Ruhr Goa.
mines, thus preventing deliveries OF
coal to France, or it may be designed
TO secure jumping off ground or the
Rhine for the German army. even at
the cost OF sacrificing important German
! towns. Thirdly, 1t may be an attempt
TO seperate France from the Allies.
French Industries Depend on Coal
England and Italy are comparatively
indifferent to the Ruhr question. On
the other hand, Frances industry de
! pends on deliveries Of Ruhr coal. Ger
many went out OF her way to make the
Ruhr question one between France ard
Germany by approaching France d;
rectly. instead of continuing to dea,
with the Allies as n whole on the sub
ject. Finally, President Wilson's latest
note both positively and negatively
supports Germany as against France
presiden. Wilson not only assented e.
the dispatch Of further German troops
into the Ruhr region. but forbade
France to take any quid pro quo which
would prevent this fl ON being simplc
violation of the treaty
| II there were not so many evidences
Of German bad faith. France m5qh,
look at the presen. situation ir Ar
: other light. Ju,. amonl other 81.