18 DECEMBER 1920, Page 3

Germany makes it difficult for the Allies to display a

con- ciliatory spirit towards her. By the Peace Treaty she agreed to reduce her army to 100,000 men and to deliver up all surplus arms. But, while reducing the regular army, she has at the same time organized new military forces, called " Einwoh- nerwehr " or " Inhabitants' Defence Force," in Bavaria and East Prussia. Though nominally volunteers, these are in fact regular troops, well armed and equipped with artillery. The Allies have called upon Germany to disband these troops. Last week the German Government definitely refused to do so, alleging that Bavaria feared the " Reds " and that East Prussia feared a Bolshevik invasion. The Inter-Allied Commission of Control, which represents the Allies by virtue of Article 208 of the Treaty, has rejected these excuses and asked the German Government to disband these " volunteers " at once.