The Washington herald., 1921-10-21
GermanyWants
tHarnonyArmy'
of S. to Stay
American Troops on the
Rhine Principal Factor
In Preventing Clashes.
BY RoBERr ). BENDER.

BY ROBERT }. BENDER.
A ''harnonizing Influence" is still
urgently needed eng the Rhine, so
American troops win be retained there
indefinitely.
Until European conditions are more
stabilized and some international I'M
Outstanding is substituted for the
allied Rhine police force, so that
France may feel insured against Ger
man aggression or failure to meet the
Versailles treaty terms, an American
force will continue in the occupied
territory. With the exchange OF treaty
notifications between the United States
and Germany. however, the present
American troops will be reduced in
number.
The decision Of this government in
the matter Is due to a combination
Of circumstances and is interesting be-
cause 1t is contrary to the original
intention of President Harding and
sharply opposed to the demands Of a
number Of Republican Senate leaders.
certain to cause some trouble in Con-
gress. and bring a demand in the
Senate for their return. Senators Of
the ''irreconcilable" group. with the
support Of others, were prepared to in
troduce resolutions demanding the
Rhine army's return months ago. They
were dLssuaded by the argument that
the negotiation and ratification OF a
peace treaty would accomplish their
purpose. Prominent among them were
Senators Borah and johnson, irrecon-
cilable leaders.
All Senators who Voted for the
peace treaty in the belief that it
meant the return of the soldiers will
be interested in what is done now"
said Borah Thursday. He was not
yet ready, however, ito declare what
IL anything he might do.
The situation confronting the United
States government, however, is this :
At present, France Is maintaining
an army on the Rhine Of approx
mately 10000 men, Belgium has
1900 and England has about $4,000.
The American force of $1,000 is
regarded as one of the best-dis-
ciplined and most efficient forces in
Europe; but what has made them
extremely valuable in the trying
situation there is that they COM
mand the respect \of all concerned
both the allies and Germany-be-
cause of their good nature, COM
radeship and self control. They
have not been Influenced by the
same intense emotions that have
stirred the peoples of those couh-
tries by the Germans, sDd hence
have commanded confidence on both
sides have prevented numerous
clashes, and have come to be known
as the harmony array on the Rhine.
This is the reaseh given by those
urging retention of the American
troops. II they were withdrawn in
their entirety, it Is pointed out,
French troops unquestionably
would have to step into the gap
made by their departure. This
would place an almost continuous
line of French soldiers along the
German border, because the British
and Belgian sectors are very small.
With the feeling between the Ger
mans and French already intense,
it is frankly feared that removal
of the Americans, taking away
their modifying influence, would
materially increase the possibility
of trouble, decrease the chances for
a peaceful solution of the situation,
and indefinitely postpone removal
of all allied troops contemplated
in the purposed solution.
Needed as HarmOnIEers.
Allied leaders have repeatedly
pointed out to inquirers the abso-
Lutte necessity of America retain
ing it's harmOnizing influence in
that trouble zone. And while some
German business interests have de-
sired withdrawals the troops, re-
cent inquiries among the foremost
German leaders by responsible
American business men have re-
vealed a great majority of them
strongly in favor of the troops re-
naming at least until conditions
become more stabilized.
1t has been indicated by spokes-
men of the administration in recent
weeks that IL was their desire to
remove as soon as possible this
added burden upon Germany, be-
cause Germany must eventually pay
for the allied forces of occupation.
1t is now learned, however, that
German opinion, generally speak
ing, holds that the extra cost of
maintaining the American troops
would be of small consequence as
compared with the beneficial eff
fects of their presence.