The New York herald., 1922-12-11
.CLEMENCEAU DENIES
that FRENCH SOUGHT
TO ANNEX RHINELAND
Says He Urged Occupation
Only as Measure Of Self
Protection.
SIDES WITH POINCARE
Believes Bonar Law VIII
Help France and That
Lodge Is Friendly.
PLEASED AT CAPITOL
Reports Some Senators Told
Him He Had Opened
New Views
PLEASED AT CAPITOL

Special Dispatch to THE New York HERALD.
On BOARD CLEMENcEAU's TRAIN EN-
ROUTE TO CHICAGO, Dec. 10.--while
enjoying the holiday In his private
car at Cresson, Pa. Georges Clemen-
ceau had read to him two newspaper
dispatches One was Lloyd Georges
article expressing fear that French
extremists might try to annex Ger
many as far as the Rhine. The other
was Premier Poincares statement
protesting against such a conception.
AS between the two Clemenceau,
speaking tactfully. agreed with his
long time political enemy Poincare
rather than with the former British
Prime Minister.
"a man who has been in public
office should not bring up matters
which he has known through being
in office and with which the public
has not been acquainted" Clemenceau
said, therefore I am not going to
interfere in any way in a debate be-
tween Lloyd George and Poincare.
There are parts Of Poincare's answer
with which I agree. particularly those
with regard to annexation of the left
bank Of the Rhine.
Il know" he added. his eyes fash
ing. ''of no party wishing to annex Ger
man TERRITORY. We never claimed Ger
man territory and that shows we never
meant to do 1t. l never heard in France
a man speak about annexation---nian.
woman. child. donkey, dog or mouse"
No Word of Annexation.
! CIemenceau was told that Lloyd
Georges article had been interpreted
as meaning that French annexationists
utilized Ciemenceau, In his negotiations
at the Peace Conference, to ask for the
lef, bank of the Rhine, which request
Lloyd George met by Offering guarantees
for France IL she would give up this
demand. Ciemenceaus answer to-day
was:
No. II was not a word about annexa-
tion. 1t was only a question Of mill
tary occupation. BRAND said that what
Lloyd George offered was protection. but
not a guaranty
Answering questions of correspond
ents, Clemenceau said that in his deal
ings with Lloyd George the latter had
not specified what lie guaranty from
England would be. but it was stipu-
lated that the help to be extended TO
France would be forthcoming only in
case OF unprovoked attack upon her
Informed that the text of the pro-
posed agreement. later worked out by
England. had been made public at
Cannes last year. Clemenceau expressed
surprise and said: II have never seen
Il. II was not brought before the pub
lie. 1t does not mean that everything
Lloyd George proposes would be ac-
cepted with shut eyes"
Did Not Favor Occupation.
do you have any fear" he was
asked. that France would not give up
proposed term of fifteen years?'
II can't speak for the French Gov
ernment." he answered.
He said much depended on the care
fu execution OF the peace treaty. He
said he had never personally favored
occupation OF the Rhine boundary for
the reason that that In an area favor
able TO Germany II would be difficult
to maintain lines of communication. He
had only proposed II to Lloyd George
in 1919 because nothing better was Of
fered for the protection of France.
when Lloyd George offered me the
he remarked. Il took It with
very great pleasure, You may be sure
/ was very happy that day.
In his American speeches Clemenceau
has told how his happiness fell away
because both Great Britain and the
United States failed to approve the pro-
tective treaties promised by Lloyd
George and President Wilson, II their
treaty making bodies would acquiescc.
Clemenceau In to-day's interview said
that part OF VI. Poincare"s statement
OF yesterday related 20 what took place
at Cannes and later, and he knew moth
ing AZ It AMI could not answer It
because he. Clemenceau. was In Office
at the time. He said that n America
had n share in the discussions concern
ing the Rhine chat kind OF stuff would
not have taken place"