862t.01/20: Telegram
The Commissioner at Berlin (Dresel) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 1—9:10 a.m.]
258. Although situation in Ruhr district is still serious best opinion is that worst crisis is over. The consent of the French to allowing additional troops in the disturbed area for a period of three weeks has had a sobering effect as has had the despatch of a Government Commission to the seat of trouble. It is not expected that the extremists will surrender at once but a gradual weakening seems likely. Both sides are anxious to avert fighting and the Government troops [Page 302] are being held on the borders of the district in hopes of a peaceable settlement.
A manifesto issued here last night by revolutionary leaders calling a meeting to arrange a general strike has apparently fallen flat. The independents are playing a waiting game; they are not hesitating to act temporarily with the Right on occasion hoping that they may more surely succeed thereby in discrediting the government.
I give little credence to renewed reports of nationalistic activities and believe that the danger from the Right is eliminated for the time being.