, 1923-01-07
45,000FRENCH
ARE READY TO
RUHR
Final Military Plans to
Cary Out Preparations
Threat Made.
By WEBB MILLER,

limited Press staff Correspondent
PARIS, Jan. g. France tonight
held an army of $4,000 infantrymen.
nyiatora and artillerymen in readi-
ness to march deeper into Germany
TO collect r~sparations.
Final military plans to be used In
event the French carry out their
threat 10 occupy the Ruhr valley,
Germany's great trsasur house OF
iron and coal. were completed tonight
In a conference between President
Minerand, Premier Poincaire. Mar
shall Foch and General Maginot,
The military counsel. held at the
Elvsee to dovlse means of collecting
German reparations at the point Of
bayonets and 75's. gave approval TO
the scheme for troop advances sub
mitted by Foch.
They win be put into effect at a
word from French commanders II all
other plans Of collection fail. It was
: declared. These plans provide that
within a few hours after the COM
mand is given. tho French troops
thousands strong. will be clanking
across the Rhineland territory.
Details of troops disposition tho
units to be moved and h strength
necessary in various localities We're
Eono over by the French leaders 1t
was learned.
Tho first step of the "Foch plan"
It is Understood will be the dispatch
of troops to Essen to protect pgi-
neers there, Essen is the site Of the
great KruDp works. Bechum would
be the next town occupied.
The French are negotiating behind
q veil of secrecy. seeking to learn
tho extent OF support that can be
counted on from the allies, and are
awaiting some intimation of the out
come of discussions in Washington
and elsewhere before taking final &C
ton.
, Although It is generally conceded
that Belgium will back up any mill.
lEary move by France. direct aid from
Italy is doubtful. Results of the re
paration commission meeting Monday
at which Germany Will answer
charges OF default, are also being
awaited.
Meanwhile. wariike moves contin-
ued in Paris. 1t was learned tonight
that an ultimatum would be for.
warded to Germany demanding guar
antees, financial control of tho Ruhr
and customs supervision. The ulti-
matum would expire January 10. the
same Gay that Germany is expected
to default her next ~reparations pay;
ment.
II the ultimatum IS refused and
payment is moi made, French plans
are Immediately to seize the Ruhr.
Troops would be sent from the
area already occupied, for the most
part, and fresh troops will be
brought IN from tho frontier posts
to take their places. -.
British and American soldiers VIII
not participate In a
Considerable interest was evidenced
here tonight over the United states
senate resolution suggesting that the
American force be withdrawn from
Europe. 1t was pointed out that such
withdrawal would constitute moral
embarrassment" for france but woulc
not in any way interfere with the ag'
gressiveness OF the French. It was
pointed out tonight that there has
been no definite decision to put the
French plans into effect and they
are subject to change in
with developments that might come
from tho reparajons meeting Mon
day.
1t was rumored that In aodition 10
occupation Of the Ruhr after Ger
many defaults her next payment the
plans contemplate successive steps
forward Into additional territory as
Germany fails to pay In the future.