Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-07
Pact Between
Wilson, Clemenceau
on the Rhineland

London. Feb. 6.-(By A. P.)-The
London newspapers are making a SEN
sation out Of Afr. Lloyd Georges
statement in an interview with the AS
sociatcd Press Sunday last that an
agreement existed between Mr.. Wilson
and n. Clemenceau regarding the
French occupation Of the Rhineland,
of which the then English premier was
unaware until the French government
sought permission to publish the menu
oranda.
The Evening Standard In a double
column story refers to Mr.. Lloyd
Georges statement as "a disclosure
which could not easily have been made
public during Mr.. Wilson's lifetime"
The British foreign Office. however
winch is preparing an explanation,
throws cold water OF the story by say
ing the so-called secret agreement was
nothing more than routine memoran-
dunn which the French government
was seeking to publish in ordinary
course.
officials expressed the belief that Mr.
Lloyd Georges statement has become
greatly exaggerated since it was first
made to the Associated Press. They
he referred as having been secret is
only one of many nlemorandums eX-
changed among the big four during the
protracted negotiations regarding the
Rhineland. Each CT the allied pre-
micrs outlined his views on the issue
at the time and exchanged memoranda
with their colleagues.
1t was during this period that the
British premier returned to London
to look after important domestic
political developments. The theory
is advanced that in the multiplicity
of duties he was called upon to con-
slider Mr.. Lloyd George failed to re-
member specifically the memoran-
dunn respecting an occupation OF the
Rhincland which passed between NJ.
Clemenccau and Mr.. Wilson.
Throughout the hours conversa-
ton with the Associated Press on
Sunday. the former premier did not
appear to desire that sensation be
made Of the Wilson Clemcnceau
memorandum. The subject arose
while he was discussing Mr. Wilson's
character. his difficulties in Paris,
and how events transpired to cause
hinA ut many times to sacrifice ideal
ism for allied agreement on various
clauses of tho treaty.
One such instance had just come
to his attention. Mr.. LLOYD George
said. 1t was the agreement between
Wilson and Clemenceau regarding
the occupation of the Rhineland. the
details Of which he soid he had
never been acquainted with, that in
fact. he never knew such memoir
an6um Lad passed between Mr.. Will
son and NJ. Clcmenccau on that sub
icct until tho previous day when he
had received an inquiry from the
British foreign Office seeking per-
mission on behalf of France for pub
LEGATION of the memorandum. A
copy of the memorandum in qucs-
ton accompanied the inquiry.
Mr.. Lloyd George said that this was
the first intimauon he had that a
Rhincland understanding between
Wilson and Clemenceau had been
embodied on paper. That he knew
of the existence at least of verbal
understanding between Wilson and
Ciemcnceau on the Rhineland ques-
ton seems amply borne out by the
fact that such stipulation suisse
quently was incorporated in the Yer
saillcS treaty.
At the foreign Office tonight it was
stated that only Mr.. Lloyd Georges
permission was awaited before as
surfing the French government that
there was no British objection TO
publication. According to official
circles here, there can be no question
Of the French governments intention
not to publish the memorandum I'M
I'll after Mr. Wilson's death. The
French request for permission to pub
lsh in event Of Mr.. Wilson's death
was in Lloyd Georges hands the Fri
day before Mr.. Wilson diad.