Evening star., 1923-03-12
.PO|NCARE SCORES
GERMANY'SPLA|NT
Points to Bismarck's Plans
as Justification for 0cCu-
[ patton of Ruhr Region.
HE PLANNED IRON REIGN
None of Teutonic Brutality Will
Mark Frances Invasion,
Premier Declares.
He PLANNED IRON REIGN
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
PARIS, March 12.-Raymond Poin-
care. premier of France. in state
ment to the Associated Press de-
clared that Germany's recent COM
plaint that the French and Belgian
occupation of the Ruhr is illegal and
in violation of the rights of man
seemed strangely ill-founded. when
the world recalls what Germany was
ready to do in 1871, had France not
paid her indemnity to Germany. The
premier added that official documents
proved that Germany wished to rein
force her army of occupation in
France to a degree necessary to guar
antee her rights, and that she was
even ready TO resume the war by
mobilizing a half million men.
The premier was asked his opinion
warded the powers by the govern
ment of the ReichS, contesting the
legality Of the Franco Belgian occu-
patton of the Ruhr.
Refers to Bismarck.
Il shall not answer that personally"
replied the premier. II prefer to give
YOU an irrefutable opinion for it from
q German statesman. placed by the
Germans among the very highest.
refer YOU to Bismarck himself
Poincare took from his desk and
opened. volume and turned the
pages until he found a pamphlet in
the German language entitled DIP
Iomatic Acts. 1871 to 1914.
Note that these documents are
dated August. 1871" said the premier r.
a full political crisis. Bismarck
fears Thiers will be overthrown and
that another government may arise
in France unfavorable to the treaty
chancellor do? He Immediately plans
a reinforcing of the German army OF Of
occupation. But. read for yourseil.
Would Increase Forces.
The telegram cited by NJ. Poincare
showed that Bismarck on August -
1871, sent to Waldersee, German
charge daffaires in Paris. the follow
sIf the present crisis in France
means a political upheaval, we be
Ieve we are authorized TO strengthen
the German army IN rrance aiecetsa ~
TO this telegram. according to the
cony shown the correspondent, Bismarck
added this confidential postscript; @for @
YOUR personal information, Wouid IKE
TO say that II the French poltieai sie. SIT
nation becomes uncertain we DO no.
think II prudent to await an act OF
aggression by France. but as soon as
the maintenance of peace appears
doubtful we will Immediately proceed to
the resumption or nosthllleS ny iiopiiiN
ing 100000 men,
Bismarck followed up this telegram
with a letter declaring that Germany
would engage in military operations tne
moment the execution Of the treaty OF
frankfort seemed imperiled, declaring
II was quite natural the preparations
might result in a new declaration or
war, or a new war.
THE quicker we move forward. tne
letter continued, the less II VIII Gose :.
us to retake the positions occupied In
February. But let France beware;
second war will be conducted with less
German restraint than the first, and
would naturally be followed by iosg
and rigorous occupation of consider
able stretch Of French territory and by
German administration of the same.
Shows Two other Texts.
The premier than placed his finger
on two other texts showing that the
German government proposed after
the signature Of the treaty OF FRANK
fort to reoccupy. after the evacuation.
French territory in the event or a
change in the French government
which would not be accompanied by
complete recognition OF the peace
treaty and with guarantees for Its
entire execution, or in the event Ger
many was not pdlu DS the Spi iie "a
1874. The first Of these documents was
2. telegram from Bismarck to William
l. dated October 2. 1871, and the sec
ond q telegram from the German sec
retary of state, Won Thile. to Count
Arnim, German ambassador in Paris,
dated May 25. 1872.
To-day France Is merely acting In a
similar manner, with, however, the
great difference that the French meas
ures are plainly authorized by the
treaty Of Versailles.
And Frerchmen hold that the
Franco Belgian occupation OF the
Ruhr Ia far from possessing the rig
orous character which Bismarck was
arranging for his administration Of
French soil, as witness our helpful
and the policy Of feeding the needy
population.
scores German Brutality.
No methods OF the brutality which
Germany planned at the time OF Bis
marck had France not fulfilled her
engagements would ever be resorted
to by France"
France. continued NJ. Poincare, had
no intention of jumping into wild ad-
ventures: she had no idea. as alleged,
burg. France had sought to induce
Germany to give her moral adhesion
to the execution OF the treaty of Yer
sail1es; France had made repeated
concessions. but had finally reached
the conviction that Germany never
would fulfill her duty without the ex-
eroise Of pressure. No offers OF me-
diation would be welcomed in France.
he said.