New-York tribune., 1921-03-03
Dusseldorf, Duisburg and
Essen To Be Occupied
if Berlin Refuses to
Accede by Monday
Turn French Guns
On the krupp Plant
Penalties To Be Enforced
Will Be Economic Onlvs
Four Divisions Ready
By Arthur S. Draper
From, The Tribuncs European Bur-nu
CopYrig glrt 1921 Now York Tribune Inc

FROM ifr J5fDufff s European Bur~ru
Copyright. 1921. Now York Tribune Inc
LONDON, March 2.-The Su-
preme Council of the Allies decided
to-day to occupy Dusseldorf, Duis-
burg and Essen, on the right bank of
the Rhine, and take possession of
the customs, taxes and all exports
at those cities, in the event that the
Germans finally refuse to accede to
! the Paris reparations demands. The
decision will be communicated to the
German delegation tomorrow, and
it is probable it will be given until
Monday to reply.
Under the plan, which has the ap-
proval of Marshal Foch, the penal
ties to be inflicted will consist of
operations solely of an economic
nature.
To Employ Four Divisions
About four divisions would be en-
ployed in the occupation of the three
cities suggested, and this movement
would give the Allies control of the
traffic from the Ruhr Valley and
would cut off railway communication
between it and south Germany,
which is dependent on the Ruhr
region.
The decision was reached after
members Of the Council had met with
the military and judicial missions
to-day.
Belgium and Italy were opposed to
anything which might be considered n
adventure or which might prove costly.
Premier BRAND of France accepted
their viewpoint, as he is anxious to
avoid the employment of large force
of troops and the necessity of retaining
the 1919 military class beyond the usual
date of dismissal
BRAND Demands Immediate Action
The Council this afternoon had prop
ositions under consideration whether
the Allies should stand by the Paris
agreement or fall back on the pro-
visions of the Versailles treaty aud
whether they should give a period Of.
grace to Germany or take immediate
military steps. Premier BRAND de
manded that the Allies insist on a
simple yes or no to the Paris agree
ment without further discussion. Lloyd
George considered it advisable 20 act
slowly AID exhaust every opportunity
to reach an agreement with the Ger
mans.
Great pressure IS being brought to
bear on Premier Lloyd George TO avoid
doing anything which might end
Anglo German trade relations The
Labor party followers contend that a
military occupation would bring
strike and Boshevism, while the bust
ness interests are pointing out the ad
vantage America would have in estab
fishing trade relations with Germany
Lloyd George is gre .Ly disappointed
over the German attitude. but lie ap-
pears determined to carry through the
threats which have been made so often.
The Supreme Council gathered at
noon at st. James's Palace with the
military missions, charged with the
duty of preparing sanctions, and the
judicial mission, which had the task
of deciding the legal point whether un-
der the treaty military steps could be
taken before May !. Each country had
experts on the missions. Marshal Foch
heading the first and Sir Cecil Hurst
the second one. simultaneously the
Allied economic experts were discuss
ing the German counter-proposal
Gloom Over German Quarters
The German delegates were eXchanr-
ing telegrams all last night with Ber-
I'm over private wire from their
hotel. Gloom hung heavy over their
quarters. for DR.. Walter Simons. Ger.
man Foreign Minister and head Of the
delegation, realized their case had
fallen fiat. Members of the delega..on
admitted frankly that they had ex-
pected TO be turned down bv the Coun-
ell, but asserted that their hands were
tied and unless the Berlin government
gave fresh orders there was nothing
they could do in London except to re-
ceive the Allies ultimatum.
Not d SINGLE British newspaper de-
fends the German counter proposals
although many of them sharply crit
clsed the Paris agreement. Even the
keynes group declares the Germans
understated their financial position and
were guilty OF an lncNcusable political
error, which viii cost them dearly.
Lloyd George has more united
country behind him now than at any
time since the general election OF 1915.
which means that 1t is practically
unanimous.
The crisis came so quickly. when the
Germans made such impossible pro-
posals. that every one 5 feet were swept
from under him Dir. Simons. who is
generally liked by members of the Su-
preme Council and is considered sin
cere and honest. lost all his personal
gains at one stroke.
French Guns in Position
LONDON, March (By The Asso-
cated Press In anticipation of re-
fusal of the German delegates to agree
to the Allied reparation demands
French long-rsnge guns have already
been advanced TO d point where they
will command the city of Essen, the
home Of the Krupp plant.
The Allied reply to be delivered to-
morrow is described in some circles as
being in the nature Of an ultsmatur,.