On Tuesday there was also a debate on the retention
of the French and Belgian troops in the Saar. Great Britain shared the German view that since the sole reason for the troops being there was to guard the communica- tions of the Armies of Occupation, they should now be withdrawn. This conclusion seems inevitable, since the relevant article of the Treaty stipulates that nothing more than a gendarmerie shall be maintained in the Saar. but M. Briand could not be induced to promise with- drawal. The troops, 200 French and 50 Belgian, will therefore remain, awaiting " further consideration " of the position. This question is, of course, only a by- product of the main Saar problem, on which it is possible that negotiations will shortly be reopened ; but it is not a very promising earnest of what is to come.
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