FRENCH PROPOSE TO TAKE RHINELAND FROM GERMANY, MAKE IT A SEPARATE TERRITORY
Paris, France (JFK+50) On August 3, 1922, a scheme of penalties was presented to French Premier Raymond Poincare* to take effect "upon the definite refusal of the German government to fulfill the agreement for payments of private debts owing to French citizens by Germans since before the war."
The Evening Star reports the new French aim is to take the Rhineland** from Germany and create an independent parliament and government for the separated territory.
*Raymond Nicholas Landry Poincare (1860-1934) was born in Bar-le-Duc, Meuse, France & served as Prime Minister of France 3 times & President of France 1913-1920.
**Rhineland is the loosely defined area of western Germany along the Rhine in central Europe. It was occupied by the Allies at the end of WWI & under the Treaty of Versailles German troops were banned.
France occupied the territory & controlled all important industrial areas. French troops pulled out in 1925. German troops moved into the Rhineland in 1836 in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
SOURCE
"Take Rhineland From Germany, New French Aim," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., August 3, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
