Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-03-02
F0CH'S COMMAND
AWAITS ORDERS
All France is Thrilled BY
Imminence of New
War
RELGIUM is READY
BELGIUM IS READY
German Counter Proposals Prove so
Unacceptable Allied Premiers Are
Expected to Give Ultimatum.

Paris, March 2.-ErerTth'ng Is II
readiness along that par; CT tne
Rhine held by the Frenc for jump
forward at few hours notice.
should the occasion arise, 1t was
learned in official circles yesterday
evening.
Plans have been going on for some
days in anticipation of any action
which might make forward move
.ment necessary, and, in the words OF
a high official of the War Office,
"Marshal Foch has bat to say the
word"
The German colnter-proposals ere
atcd aothinp short of amazement IN
French official and diplomatic circles,
as well as among the members OF
Parliament. Advance information re-
garding the propositions to be. sub
mitted by DR.. Simons, the German
Foreign Minister, as received in Paris,
was 10 the effect that the proposals
were more reasonable and might
form the basis Of discussion. The
consensus Of opinion yesterday even
ing, however, was that no discussion
was possible.
French officials, however, cannot
hide the feeling of satisfaction that
the German attitude should "show
that the French viewpoint had been
correct from the first" that Ger
many was unwilling to face respon-
sibilities, and also prove to Great
Britain and the rest Of the Allied and
neutral world that Germany. y.,..,. will yl
understand nothing but the applfca-
tion Of force, and that it is useless
to deal with Germany in a spirit of
Justice and fairness"
Po,,lar feeling is greatly aroused,
and the opinion everywhere is eX-
pressed that France has waited long
enoigh,, and that the movement of
troops into the interior of Germany
would meet with smaller opposition
from the opponents of the Govern
ment now than at any other time,
owing to the fac. that the Govern
,ment has the communist situation well
in hand, the leaders either having
been sent to Jail or silenced.
A Deputy who voted against Prem
ier BRAND on the Paris Conference
decision informed the Associated
Press yesterday that should NJ.
BRAND return to Paris today and ask
the Chamber to rat:fy the penalties
decided upon he would receive vote
of over five hundred, only the So
cialists. and Communists voting
against him.
Satisfaction is also expressed at
the British Prime Minister'es atti-
tude. which is mentioned in official
DISPATCHES as Showing deep resent
mer." toward the Germans over their
uncoMpromis:ng counter proposals. If
forcible coercion becomes necessary,
officials here feel that it will have the
moral support CT all the Allied com
tries, as well as the United States.
In the absence of Premier BRAND
and War Minister Barthou. it is not
expected that an order to go forward
would come before tonight at
the earliest. as it is presumed the
Germans will be given final oppo:-
tunity 10 rc:ede. from the position
taken today. If marching order
come, tonight the troops
would be ready to go forward Thurs
day morning at daybreak.
TT" Associated Press was inform
cd from Belgian sources yesterday
that Belgium is ready TO follow
Frances lead. The fact that General
Magl:nse, chief of the Belgian Gen
eral Staff, was called hurr;ed!y tc
London ard left Brussels yesterday
afternoon to confer with Marshal
Foch anil Field Marshal Wilson IS
interpreted in Belgian cities as
meaning that the plan decided upor
contcmplatcs collaboration Of Belgian
troops in the EsSe2-DuSseldorF dis
trict
Dr1ing the past three days l3,Oot
Belgian troops on the Rhine har
been reinforced BY two divisions
- while the French have 10000 me
u the occupation zone. with 10000
held in reserve less than 81 hcu.