NEWS OF THE WEEK
WE suppose that the Government has good reasons for the Manner in-which it has handled the qUestion of the evacuation of Cologne. We do not, however, know what they are, and we must confess our disappointment. It will be remembered that January 10th is the last day on which, under the terms of the Versailles Treaty, British troops have a legal right to be occupation of the Cologne area. Thus, it would seem clear that we should end the period of occupa- tion, which certainly serves no British interest, is dc- , cidedly expensive, and is comparatively useless as a pledge for Germany's good behaviour. Unfortunately, the situation is not by any means so simple as that. The communications to the Ruhr area on the right bank of the Rhine, which France occupied nearly two years ago, run directly through the Cologne area. France has agreed to evacuate the right bank in August next, but until that time she must obviously maintain her com- munications, and the only effect of our troops walking out of Cologne would be for French troops to walk in.
