Paris, May 17.
Political circles are seething with speculation as to the outcome of M, Briand's memorandum on the European federation the full text of which, os published this after-icon, goes beyond the scope of the mere questionnaire originally expected. In effect the memorandum constitutes a_plea for European federation. The document typical example of the French blend of idealism realism. While it does not attempt to minimize the difficulties, it seems to take the realization of the project for granted, The proposal proper is preceded by a preamble wherein its auth reviews the history of the project and dwells on France's efforts at economic issues must be sub Ordinated to political questions "because every progress towards: economic union is determined by the question of security which again closely related to political union."
The fourth chapter proposes to leave certain questions to the future: European conference and enumerate under this heading, transit pro-Blems, credits for developing Europe's backward areas, interparliamentary ce-operation, etc.
Finally, the memorandum suggests that the European Governments should reply by July 15 and expresses the conviction that the replies will be inspired by "an earnest endeavour to meet the expectations of their peoples and the desires of a European con science. The hour to accomplish European reconstruction was never more propitious and the need therefor wax never greater present. By removing the important material and moral problems rising from the Great War and its aftermath, new-born Europe will soon free itself of the burden on its, spirit and productive apparatus To unite in order to live and prosper—that _impdrative necessity with which European nation, are now confronted."—Trans-Ocean Kuo Min, Berlin, May 17.
The French Foreign Minister, M.
"Lo Journal" states that the War! Ministry will dispatch to-day to General Guillaumat, commanding. officer of the Rhineland Occupation 'Army, the formal order to start evueuation of the Rhineland. The order has been held up pending ratification of the Young Plan by: the various governments concerned. which has mow been completed. sharply criticizes the' declares, will render sult for those respon, for the complete evacuation of Rhineland by the end of June—Trans-Ocean Kuo Min.
Berlin, May 18.
Conflicting reports regarding the Rhineland evacuation are received alarm. While despatches from Geneva state that at yesterday's conference between the German and French Foreign Minis. ters, M. Briand assured Dr. Curtius that the evacuation would be terinated by June 30, adding that the French Government would con in an official note, reports ardiew has failed to convince the French generals who are opposing the evacuation, of the necessity for the movea pledge given to Germany" during the Young Pla negotiations that if the. Reich [Government accepted the plan the occupied territories would be clear from the last allied soldiers by the end of June.
The "Vosische Zeitung," leading exponent of Franco-German recom tion, reports. from Paris that the French military authorities fare determined to prolong the cecapation of the Rhineland, if only for a matter of weeks, "on the pretext that the remaining period six weeks is not suficlent elect complete" withdrawal of the troops and wind up all affairs. The same paper alleges that the French press is evading the issue and that nany_ newspapers ike "Volonte" fre pleading for a brief postponement of the evacuation' on the ground that a hurried withdrawal CE the troops would be incompatible with the dignity of the French army. 'The "Vorische Zeitung," in common with its. liberal—contem: poraries, emphasizes that Germany' Fails to'seo the justice of such technical reasons marshalled by the French press in favour of. the postponement, declaring. that. the {nter-allied Rhineland authorities had known for" months of the the last League of Nations Assembly Briand's memorandum the Political negotiations to induce European members of the jacust the ways and means for a Ecropean federation when the spokesmen of 27 nations: unanimously agreed some sort of a working common basis and pledged them: neives to advise their respective governments to study the problem. This according to M. Briand, European federation which _w: submitted to-day to all European Powers, except Turkey and Russia, coincided with the Meeting of the Union summoned by the Union's President, Count i, and attended by the former British' Secretary of Colonies, Mr. Amery, the former have made proparati The Nationalist press violently attacks the Reich Government for their action in this matter—Trans-
Ocean Kuo Min.
Paris, May 17.
The Premier, M. Andre Tardieu, ordered the evacuation of the third Rhineland zone after a meeting this
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.