862t.01/73a: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Ambassador in France (Wallace)
737. Communicate following informally to French Government, leaving no written memorandum:
The Government of the United States has noted with deep concern the French advance into Frankfort and vicinity. Although the French fear of German militarism is regarded with sympathy, and although the Government of the United States desires to see that fear removed by strict fulfillment of military terms of the Treaty, it cannot but feel that the sudden French advance, because of a technical violation of article 44 in an emergency, was unfortunate and may be followed by serious consequences. This seems particularly true as the German Government informed the French Government on April 4 that the German forces in the neutral zone had been unexpectedly successful in quelling the disturbances and that all the troops above those permitted by the agreement of August 9 [8], 1919, could probably be withdrawn within one week. The Government of the United States feels that restoration of law and order in the disturbed zone is all-important for peace and safety of the world, and that opportunity to restore order should be given the German Government, upon whom that duty primarily rests. The Government of the United States can only reiterate its already expressed opinion that occupation of more territory in Germany promises to cause a junction of militaristic forces in Germany and elements of German people striving for revolution and the overturn of political and economic order.
The Government of the United States, fearing the effect of the occupation of Frankfort and adjoining towns, would be pleased to have the French Government inform it as to the precise meaning of its statement that French forces will be withdrawn as soon as the German forces have “completely evacuated” the neutral zone. The Government of the United States understands that the agreement of August 9 [8], 1919, permitting a specified number of German troops in this zone for police purposes, expires April 10. It is further understood that an extension of this agreement has been requested by the German Government. The Government of the United States sincerely hopes that the French Government will acquiesce in this request as it is clear that the withdrawal of all German forces, as apparently the French contemplate, would leave the Ruhr region quite defenseless against elements of the population responsible for recent disorders. The Government of the United States considers [Page 325] the restoration of order of supreme importance. It is confident that this being also the French Government’s primary concern, the latter will appreciate the wisdom of extending or renewing the agreement of August 9 [8], and the announcing of the withdrawal of its own troops from the recently occupied regions as soon as German forces not needed for maintaining order are withdrawn from the valley of the Ruhr.