The New York herald., 1921-02-27
FRANCE PREPARES I
FOR MOBILIZATION
Occupation of Southern Ger
many to Force Payment
Grows Probable.
PRESS URGES ACTION
Opposition Grows to Long
Drawn Out Diplomatic
Conferences.

Special Gable to THE New YORK HERALD.
| Copyright, 1891, by THE NEW YoRK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Paris, Feb. 28.
| With the political atmosphere sur
charged with rumors of the impending
French mobilization for the occupation
of southern Germany, tense interest is
shown in repeated assertions from
supposedly authentic sources that the
United States troops on the Rhine will
be withdrawn Immediately.
The Petit Pdrisien published an in
terview with Major-Gen. Henry T. AL
len, commanding the American forces
Of occupation. who was quoted as ex-
pressing doubts as to withdrawal at
this time.
IT have no confirmation Of state
ments that the Belgian Government
has been advised officially of our de-
parture from the Rhine" Gen. Allen
was quoted as having said. II do not
believe the information is exact. for
personally I have not been informed
about 1t. and it would indeed be strange
II some fine day we should receive an
order to quit the Rhine Immediately"
Confirmation Reported.
| The Brussels correspondent of the
| Petit Portsfen, however. insists that the
highest official sources have confirmed
the report that the Belgian High Com
missioner at Coblenz notified his Gov
ernment on February % that the with
drawal Of the United States troops had
been definitely decided upon.
Everywhere one hears the same theme
If Germany does not pay France is
ruined. Why not stand the trials of
another six months campaign and make
her realize that France and not Ger
many won the war? That argument
against delaying is brought out In an
editorial in the IntransiCednt. In which
the paper advocates independent action
in the face of repeated German bra
vado." This newspaper insists Premier
BRAND must not yield to either Great
Britain or Germany on any essential
points and goes on to say that eff Eng
land Is unwilling tomorrow to make
common cause with US against Germany
she must. at any rate, understand and
follow with a friendly eye the measures
we decide to use In order to pay our
selves.
French opinion, which has been op-
posed to such isolation until now. Is
rallying under the pressure OF facts. Is
British opinion taking this into ac-
count?'
Yelled Threat of Action.
The Temps contained a yelled threat
of serious action II DR.. Simons intends
to follow the man9uvre OF the former
German Foreign Minister. Count Won
f, Brockdorff- -Rantzau. who resigned rather
| than sign the peace treaty. declaring:
Germany must be made to realize
where such a route leads"
Other journals are equally insistent.
II less vigorous, n presenting the con-
tention that the occupation OF either tho
Ruhr Valley or a line Of separation be-
tween the north and south of Germany
would bring a quicker restoration of
business, to normal than long drawn out
diplomatic conferences.
Humunite published the text OF n let
| ter from the commander OF battalion at
Tours addressed to former officers now
demobilized In which he says: 1T Is
possible that It will be necessary TO apI
peal for voluntary officers to reinforce
the aviation service IN the event Of a
partial mobilization OF the existing for
nations. Are you ready to report with
the first classes to be mobillzed?"
Moreover. the idleness In many Sec
tions of the country Ia turning the
thoughts OF the unemployed toward the
army, where they can always be sure of
bread. meat. wine and tobacco with
allowances for their wives and their few
household cares.
Six months ago n mobilization order
might have evoked grave interior dis
orders. but with the public becoming
more convinced from day to day that
force alone will bring Germanys gold
to this side OF the Rhine. military chiefs
are confident that the order OF advance
would not be opposed by any save a few
Communists and radical Socialists.
T-gMnK Hill. pAgsTg.