862t.01/56: Telegram
The Ambassador in France (Wallace) to the Secretary of State
[Received April 9—6:39 p.m.]
950. Mission. The following note was transmitted to me by the German Peace Delegation to-day:
“Paris, April 8, 1920. From Goeppert to the President of the Peace Conference.
I have the honor by order of my Government to call the attention of the Allied and Associated Governments to the note which was addressed to the Inter-Allied Commission of Control on April 8 and copy of which is annexed hereto.
In that note the German Government solicited an extension until July 10th, 1920, of the authorization, which was granted on August 8, 1919, to maintain 20 battalions, 10 squadrons, and 2 batteries in the 50 kilometer zone.
I am taking the liberty of insisting on the fact that a complete retreat of troops from that part of the Ruhr Basin situated in the demilitarized zone would fatally compromise the success of the policing action which is being carried out at the present time with so much difficulty and at a cost of great sacrificing and would again expose the peaceful population to the attacks of bands of pillagers and assassins.
As the time limit for which the authorization is granted will expire on April 10th it would be extremely desirable to obtain a decision as soon as possible.
Accept, et cetera.”