The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-11

reSolng.
action of Great Britain.
Both Lloyd Georges proposals and
my own were made after repeated
consideration Of all other plans sug-
gested, and they represent the max
mum of what ] myself deem neces-
sary for the safety of France, or
possible on the part of the United
States"
Renews His Efforts
Every day, often twice a day, NJ
Clemenceau renewed his efforts:
Il beg to point out" he said, that
on the seas this guarantee has al
ready been provided. Germany no
equivalent guarantee on land. Amer
lea is far away. protected by the
ocean. Even Napoleon could not
reach England. You are both under
cover. We are not. No man has less
of the militaristic spirit than 1. But
we want safety"
Lloyd George kept to his invariabie
formula.
You must fully understand the
state of mind of the British pub
! lie. 1t Is afraid to do anything what
soever which might repeat the mis-
take Germany committed in annexine
| Alsace- Lorraine"
! We repeat our arguments, ever
more urgent and direct. NJ Glenn
enceau summoned Marshal Foch and
the commanders in chief of the al
lied armies before the council of four
The marshal of France read a new
report. This is its conclusion
To sum up, unless we hold the
Rhine permanently, no neutrality, nc
disarmament, no written clause OF
any kind. can prevent Germany from
seizing the Rhine and debauching
from IT at an advantage.
THE Rhine remains today the bar
rier essential to the safety of the
peoples of western Europe.a and there
fore of civilizatiin.
I'm the circumstances 1t seems diff
fcult TO refuse to the nations in the
forefront of battle-France and Bel
gium-the protection they deem In
dispensable to enable them to live
and fight until their allies arrive
Whether the Inhabitants OF the
left bank of the Rhine remain Ger
main or not. the political frontier be-
tween the western European nations
and Germany is the Rhine.
Il urge with all my strength upon
the allied and associated govern
ments. which In the most critical
hours of the war intrusted to me the
conduct of their, armies and the fu-
ture of our common cause, to con-
slider that the future can only be
permanently assured-tomorrow as IL
was yesterday-by the military from
tier of the Rhine and its occupation
by the allies. This essential position
must therefore be held"
= Listens Attentively
Everyone listens attentively. But
not one of the allied generals sup
ports the commander-in-ch chief. On
April the King of the Beigians joins
the conference OF the heads of the
governments. but he, too. does not
express himself In favor of an ex-
tended occupation. We are alone
Tho atmosphere is tense. Overseas
newspapers grow aggressive. Some
French papers are no less so. In two
days Lloyd George gives out two
soothing interviews. the effect of
which does not last. Subordinates
are nervous, and make blunders. In
spite of Mr.. House. the mendacious
news Is published that the, George
Washington has been hurriedly sum-
moned to Brest.
NJ, Clemenceau holds his ground
unmoved. We send note upon note
We show that no matter how i'm
portant the results attained 1t re-
mains Indispensable to give the treat
a guarantee OF executions. to. give to
France material safeguard against
a Germany which because of the war
will have millions of trained soldieds
for years to come. We show that
occupation alone meets this double
need Days pass.
At last NJ Clemenceau's indomi-
table will wins its end. Light begins
to break Slowly. prudently and pa
tiently he widens the opening. and
| on April 20 at 6 o'clock in the even
ing. he secures--frst of ali--from
President Wilson his approval of the
provisions. On the morning OF April
70 Lloyd George gives his approval
also. but not without again renew
ing his objections. NJ. Clemenceau.
who for two days has been in agree
ment with President Wilson. MAIN
tatns all his points--duration of the
occupation, its possible extension
participation by the allies. Lloyd
George ends the discussion:
Very well. l accept"
The long debate 10 over. Despite
Emergencies of opinion, the personal
relations between the three men DUR
ing those 40 days have never ceased
to be sincere. calm and affectionate.
May their fellow countrymen never
forget it.