The New York herald., 1922-05-04
Sailing Deferred at Least Un-
til June II Under Orders
Weeks Kept Secret.
SENATOR DIvULGES PLAN
Americans Harmonizers, AL
lies Say, and Germany, Too,
Wants Them to Remain.
Special Dispatch to THE New YonK HERALD.

Special Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. May 3.
American troops may be kept on the
Rhine indefinitely. This became known
to-day despite the fact the War Depart
ment had been keeping secret the in
formation that orders had been issued
for two battalions Of the Eighth Infan-
try scheduled to sail on May Is, to
remain at least until June II.
The change in orders was divulged by
Senator Harris of Georgia. who let 1t be
known he had received a letter from
Col. Campbell King Of the war plan
division of the army stating that on
account of unforeseen circumstances the
arrival of the Eighth Infantry at Savan-
nah would be delayed. Senator Harris
was interested because a celebration had
been planned at Savannah for the troops
on their arrival.
When Secretary of War Weeks was
informed Of Col. Kings letter he ex-
pressed surprise and annoyance and ex-
claimed: HE talks too much" He
promptly sent for Col. King.
Secretary Weeks then said the orders
cancelling the sailing Of the troops on
May 16 had been postponed after con-
ferences with the State Department.
It was said at the State Department
that protests against the withdrawal
had been received from Great Britain
France. Belgium and other countries in
volved as well as Germany, and from
Americans In Germany. The petition
from the German Government Is under
stood to have been addressed to Presi-
dent Harding. and came through the
German Embassy here.
The tone of these petitions was the
same. There apparently is unanimous
conviction that the influence Of the
American forces is wholesome, tending
greatly to stabilize conditions and to
lessen friction between the elements in
volved.
Major-Gen. Henry A. Allen, command
ing the American Army of Occupation,
especially is commended for the way he
has handled the situation. officials here
regard him as an unusually efficient Of
flcer, and point out that in disposing OF
many perplexing. questions he has met
them with uniform tact. which has
lessened friction, not only between the
Allies and the Germans but also among
the Allies themselves.
It is understood a decision has been
made by the Administration on keeping
troops in Germany, but the time is not
yet opportune for announcing the decis-
ion. The situation il changing so rap
idly in Europe. 1t was pointed out. II
would be unwise to say now what would
be done on July i.
The number of American troops ir
Germany now is less than 1000. The
units remaining are the Eighth Infantry
two batteries Of field artillery, one com
pany of engineers and certain auxiliar,
forces. On March 20 the Secretary o
War announced the President had di
rected that all troops In Germany b'
returned to the United States before
the end Of the fiscal year, or July !
1924
| The fact France had Joined in the re
quest to keep American troops In Ger
many after having brought into ques
ton the right of the United States t
payments of the costs of maintaining
the army Of occupation occasioned mucl
speculation among officials here to-day
Belief prevailed that In view of tn
latest action Of the French. there wa
not likely to be any further disposition
to question the right of this Governmen
| to payment.