Evening journal., 1921-03-08
ALLIED ARMY
HOLDSGERMAN
RHINE TOWNS
lcontInued from page onel

continued from page one)
troops marched across the Rhine to-
day.
In the early morning. when the
river mists were just beginning TO
lift. long columns Of French, Brit
ish and Belgian soldiers equipped
and rationad for war. trampod over
the bridges and into the German
cities Of Dusseldorf. Duisberg and
Ruhrort.
Horse. foot and artillery. they ad-
vanced into the Ruhr valley, Ger
manv's rich mineral basin. As they
swung into the narrow streets OF the
old cities. people peered out timidly
from windows and doorways. The
rumble OF wheels and the clatter OF
horses hoofs. the sound Of shrill
whistles, giving orders and the
steady shun-shuff Of thousands Of
feet over the cobbles was the music
TO which the allied armies marched
deeper into Germany.
The operations were directed by
10y General Degoutte OF the French
army from his headquarters at
Neuss. opposite Dusseldorf. The
French forces were under the direc-
tion OF General Gaucher.
During the night the French ad-
vanced TO the center OF the Dussel-
dorn bridge. where a barbed wire
entanglement was placed. Pion-
GERS went ahead and threw up earth
works and established a trench line
beyond the bridge. just as II lurk-
ing enemy were awaiting TO attack
There was no sign OF life, however
from the darkened city and the
operations were conducted in a
strange quiet
Meanwhile. more French troops In
river boats were coming up the
Rhine. past Coblenz. where th'
United States Army OF Occupation l.
based. They passed Coblenz in th'
night.
Before today's forward movement
started. artillery clattered over Dus
seldorff bridge and swung into posi-
tion where it could cover the ad
vance OF the army at dawn.
Then the French. British and Bel
gians went forward, bayonets fixeC
and ready for action. but there wa
no sign OF resistance. not even ,
stray shot from a housetop. Com
manding officers commandeere,
houses for headquarters. their stan
were billeted nearby and in re
markably short space OF time tn
city was completely occupied
a.
with plans prepared by the Allie'
leaders when it was seen that tn
Germans would remain obdurate
French and Belgian troops marched
into Ruhrort and Duisberg.
PARIS. March s. UNITED Press
Occupation OF Ruhrort was ac
complished without incident. tn
French War Office announced thl
afternoon.
An Allied river fleet is anchore
Of the port.
General Simon will command IN
forces in Dusseldorf and Genera
Montbert the troops at Ruhrort.
was said.
The army OF occupation. it wa
announced. consists OF infantr,
cavalry, tanks and motor machin
guns.
Dusseldorf heard OF the impend
ing advance before noon yesterda
and from noon until dark va.
crowds thronged the Rhine bridg,
heads to witness the spectacle.
Business men. factory worker
Lirls and women were in the crowd
There was some grumbling over N
Allied course. but mainly 1t was
curious gathering.
The crowd waiting between Co
ogne and Obercassel was the. first
bee rewarded. The chattering cease
when a detachment OF machir
guns, motor-mounted. rolled slow
out from the opposite bridgehea
-snipped the barbed-wire entangl,
ments OF the bridge and spread ov,
German soil. the guns ready for a.
ton.
A few minutes later three con
panies OF Belgian soldiers. the
great khaki coats Tapping as tn,
walked. swung across the bridge.
= French troops. stepping briskl
were the last to cross. Two tho
sand OF these Immediately left II
= city. passing northward throuf
Opladen toward Dusseldorf.
Everywhere they passed throuf
silent crowds OF Germans. wi
stared at them indifferently.
Arriving at Dusseldorf. the 50
dters marched to the police ba
racks, evacuated by the German
The French took possession OF d
building. installed their field kite
ems and made ready for permane
occupation. Fifteen hundred nj
we're billeted at Solingen and sma
/. or bodies elsewhere.
Acting on instructions from BE
lin. Burgomasters OF the occupi
y town issued proclamations TO the
people. urging that there be no (
reference with the military.
STREET BOARD FINANCES.
At the meeting OF the directors