San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-09-28

Copyright, 1928.
Berlin, Sept. 2S.-Leaders OF the
Rhineland separatist movement are
speedily perfecting plans for the proc
lamation of an independent republic.
A meeting will be held at Dusseldorf
Sunday at which all leaders of the
movement will be present. Members
of various organizations will gather
from all parts of the Rhineland in spe-
cial trains furnished by the French and
Belgian railroad administration.
Ills asserted that a complete pro-
uus,am has been arranged whereby. after
tile, mass meeting. a delegation will
visit General BeGoutte, the French
commander of the area. and demand
French protection for the young nas
ton. Upon the receipt OF favorable
answer, which is confidently expected.
the republic will be proclaimed on the
spot.
This is denied by Herr Mathes. the
Dusseldorf separatist leader, but il is
certain that the leaders plan to issue
their proclamation very soon and no
moment is likely to be more, favorable
than the present.
Loyalists Are Alarmed.
Leaders loyal TO the Berlin govern
ment are thoroughly alarmed at the
prospect raised by the calling of the
general meeting and representatives
of all parties in the Rhineland have
been hastily summoned 10 Cologne to-
day TO take measures designed to avert
the danger. The secession of Bavaria
or a red uprising in Saxony would
make the Rhineland republic almost
certainty.
The French government has repeat
edy stated. both officially and unof-
ficially, that it does not aim to create
such a republic and is not adm; the
movement. 1t would be difficult, how
ever. to reconcile this statement with
things that admittedly are happening
in the Rhineland today.
IL the French are technically neu-
trail, rs they claim, it is nevertheless
true that their benevolence toward the
separatist movement is so lively and
efficient that the separatists depend on
them for the very air they breathe.
1t is still true that the separatist
movement has so little spontsneity
that. il German authority were per-
mitted to re-establish itself in the
Rhineland. as was contemplated in the
treaty of Versailles. or as it actually
HoSS+s in Cologne. the movement would
collapse within a week. The separa-
fists themselves admit that they will
do nothing without Frer"'' and Bel
GUM permission and that their sue
cess il conditioned upon French APP
prevail and French promises of active
aid.
French Financial Support.
The various forms of active allied
assistance are the following:
Personal protection Of individual
separatists against arrest by the Ger
man authorities either for political or
common law offenses; PERMISSION to
carry arms. which is denied 10 all
other German citizens permission to
post pIacards and, circulate literature.
which is denied to their opponents.
permission to requisition public build
ings for meetings; provision of mill
tary protection for parades and other
demonstrations free trans, .ortation in
the Franco Belgian railway system.
Credible evidence exists that the
French have provided financial sup
port, but it is improbable 1t the
French found il necessary TO spend
much money. Their moral support
is Of intellectually greater valrn. Wiz
il the separatist leaders can say the
civil servants, iif YOU join us rapid
promotion is assured you; il you do
not. the French will expel you. as thev
have expelled 10000 of your COM
rades."
Want Military Protection.
Finally the separatists. if they hone
TO succeed, must obtain from the
French-and probably already have OBJ
taired-certain assurances:
1. Promise of speedy Diplomatic
recognition of the new republic.
.. Promise of military protection
permitting the republic to N"t loan
- the basis for its currency.
,. Assurance that Rhinelanders
will not be obliged to do military ser
vice for the French.
4. Assurance that the eight-hour
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