German Invasion

For the first time since the conclusion of the War, the Germans made an invasion of England. Instead ot being shelled by anti-aircraft guns and fired at by irate pilots in airplanes, they were housed at the British Government's expense in that Piccadilly house of King Alfonso of Spain, the Ritz Hotel. Chancellor Wilhelm Marx, Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann and 40 trusty officials formed the 1924 Germany army.

Welcome. At midday on a sunny Tuesday, the Allied and German representatives to the International (Premiers') Conference (TIME, June 30, et seq.) met in a spacious room of the British Foreign Office. Premier Ramsay MacDonald made a speech of welcome : "The Allied Governments have been meeting and have come to certain understandings which they wish to communicate to the German Government and, in so far as they require to have the assent of the German Government, they wish to discuss them with it. The sole business of the Conference is to deal with matters arising out of the application of the Experts' Report; and to that I must, as Chairman of the Conference, confine its attention. I hope that by the exercise of the desire and spirit of cooperation we may arrive speedily at agreement upon our business and so enable the London Conference of 1924 to mark a successful attempt to make possible friendly relations between the Governments of Europe."

Reply. Chancellor Marx replied: "The task which confronts us is of decisive and historical importance. We are convinced that upon the solution of this task the fate of Germany, the fate of Europe depends. We are equally convinced that this task can be achieved only if the spirit of peaceful agreement and strict fairness prevails. The German delegation will negotiate in that spirit."

Acceptance. The following day, the Germans, having studied the reports and resolutions passed by the Allies during the Conference, formally accepted the Experts' Plan. Two main reservations were, however, made in connection with the operation of the Plan:

1) That a definite date be fixed for the military evacuation of the Ruhr by France and Belgium;

2) That French and Belgian railwaymen be withdrawn from Germany.

Plan. It was stated that the Experts' Plan will be put into effect on Oct. 5, the date being advanced by ten days at the request of the Germans.

France. Premier Herriot found it necessary to rush to Paris in order to get his Cabinet's endorsement of his policies. While in the Capital he created much gossip by consulting with Marshal Foch, but, as the Premier said, he did not care to take final action without consulting the highest military authority in France.

The result of the Premier's hurried visit was reported as: 1) The Ruhr to be evacuated within twelve months of the Experts' Plan going into operation, provided that Germany loyally executes the terms of the plan;

2) Security to be discussed at the League and no longer to be connected with France's occupation of the Ruhr. It was understood that Marshal Foch had said that retention of the Ruhr by France was useless from a security viewpoint;

3) A conference to be called in the Fall to discuss interallied debts.

British Pledge. Premier MacDonald informed Premier Herriot that Britain would not evacuate the Cologne area, held since 1919, unless and until Germany had shown her good faith in discharging her obligations under the Experts' Plan.