862T.01/512: Telegram
The Ambassador in France ( Herrick ) to the Secretary of State
[Received 7:45 p.m.]
16. General Buat personally informed military attaché as follows: The French divisions totalling 10,000 men move into the Ruhr tomorrow. No North African troops whatever in this force. All composed of Frenchmen. If any further troops required to be sent they will be Frenchmen. All arrangements under direction of General Degoutte who will place troops about Essen as he deems best for the protection of engineers.
General Buat added that he had originally intended to send two sections of French railway troops to assure this movement but since the German railway men are carrying out the movement with the greatest efficiency he has countermanded the order.
The two divisions withdrawn from the army of the Rhine are being drafted from the troops from the eastern frontier garrisons.