Manchester Democrat., 1921-03-16
ALLIES OCCUPY
GERMAN CITIES
No UntoWard Incident Marks
Move Of Troops Into Ger
man Territory.
THREE TOWNS ARE seized
French, British and Belgian Forces
Moved Forward Afoot and In cami-
ons and on Board River Craft,
Ready for Eventualities.

cupation of the additional German
territory which the allies had an
nounced they would take possession
of as one Of the penalties for Ger
many's failure to meet the allies rep
aration demands was carried out.
No untoward Incident marked the
eastward move of the allies troops.
SO far as reports up to late hour
showed.
The occupation Of the city of Dues
seldorf, the largest Of the cities taken
over by the allies, was completed In
the morning, and that of Duisburg and
Ruhrort, constituting together the
chief port of the Ruhr coal and indus
trial region, in the afternoon.
The entire movement was effected
in a way to obviate, so far as pos
sible, show Of force, but the French
and the British Rhine flotillas were
prepared for eventualities.
Move by Road and River.
The troops moved forward afoot and
in camions and on board French and
British river craft.
The Belgian troops entered Duessel-
dorf by way Of the bridge over the
Rhine. The French and British pro-
ceeded by way Of the Cologne bridge
: head, marching along the east bank
Of the Rhine and entering Dusseldorf
from the south and east. ..@
Duisburg was occupied by French
and Belgian troops, while possessions
of Ruhrort was taken by the allies
Rhine fiotilla.
The headquarters Of General De
goutte, who as commander in chief
Of the French forces along the Rhine.
carried out the orders from Marshal
Foch for the advance, are situated at
Neuss, on the left bank of the Rhine
opposite Dusseldorf. y
AirpIanes Fly over Dusseldorf.
A telephone message from Dusseldorf
said that Allied airplanes weSe flying
over the city and that four English
gunboats had come to anchor in the
Rhine with their guns trained on the
city. -
100000 French. Under Arms.
Paris, March 9.-The march into
Germany is on. Reports from various
frontier points say the British at
Cologne and the French at Mayence
are on the move, with small detach-
ments crossing the Rhine and bridge
head positions, preparatory to the
movement of the main force Of each
army Of occupation. The advance
headquarters Of the allied armies has
been established at Cologne.
Although it Is inconceivable that the
Germans Will, or can, resist, the French
are advancing as if an actuas state Of
hostilities existed. 1t Is understood
drastic orders have been issued in case
the French encounter warlike Ger
mans. There Is great activity at the
ministry of war. All told, 10000
French are under arms.
Says Die, 10 Cast.
London, March S.-"The die Is cast"
So stated Premier Lloyd George
when he terminated the reparations
conference with the German delegates,
and 1t was announced the French and
allied troops were prepared to march
into Germany to hold additional Ger
man territory as hostage for the pay
ment Of the demanded war indemnity.
In his declaration to the German
delegates Premier Lloyd George said:
"Al those responsible for the af-
fairs Of distracted and uncertain
world demand settle your difference
and let us know the worst 1t Is an
appeal to common sense"
In a statement made Immediately
after the breaking up Lloyd George
said:
Germany Is far from settling the
questions at issue. She Is not looking
forward two months. After five years
she has no figures, no proposals, no
methods for meeting the indemnity
she brought upon herself"
I'VE did our best and now we are
obliged to follow the allies demands
and endure the sanctions (penalties).
1T Is regrettable that no solution
Of the reparations was reached, but
we do not give up hope for future sue
cessful negotiations.
"Our mission has been futile, but It
has shown the world that Germany is
q united nation"
The foregoing statement was made
by DR.. Walter Simons, German foreign
minister and head Of the German dele
CATION here.