Paris, Jan. 26.
The vapid ecenpation of the Ruhr valley Was at any rate a good beginning to the task to which ance hus set her hand—whether wisely or unwisely the future will decide. The success of the operation depended upon elaborate prepara-tiang and efficient execution, and it can be fairly said that everything worked without & hitch. The Ruhr being rather like a very big. street or thorough fare leading to Germany, Gen, Degoutte, the French command der, did not attempt to send his troops through the middle, because the ya vious units might have got ach other's way and obstructed age. He preferred to form a cordon round the district and occupy only the most important points, such as the railway stations and post. offices, inside it. For the first " part of the operation, the wizure of Essen, which took place on Januar Deguutte took two - infant ions and one cavalry division from the three army corps belonging to the my of the Rhine. Each of these divisions Was fully equipped with all rms, such as heavy artillery, aeroplanes and tanks. The Ruhr valley had been divide into thr ebions—Essen, Bochum and Dortmund, and it would, of difficult, but was in reality the more convenient. He therefore sent his divisions from France right on to Bochum and Dortmund, preceded by hig cavalry division. The Ruhr now held by four divisions of fantry, two of- which are commanded by Gen. Henrys and two by Gen. Caron, and a cavalry division under Gen. Rampont. The fifth infantry division is in reserve. The French army has quietly and efficiently occupied every part of the Ruhr without calling up a single reservist and without making any unnecessary display of force. It is to be hoped that the much more difficult economic problem of utilizing the Ruhr so as to obtain some compensation for France's losses will be undertaken in the same workmanlike manner, which leaves nothing to chance.
COURTEOUS RUT FIRM, The nature of the French occupa tion of the Ruhr is illustrated what took place at Essen. At a to two in the afternoon.
am pont, commanding the lry Division, went to the town hall, escorted by a squadron of dragoons, six armoured cars and a detachment of cyclist infantry. A very large but silent crowd
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