(2 of 3)
Results. The protocol, which set the seal of international approval on the decisions of the Conference, was accompanied by four annexes, designed to make the Experts' Plan effective. The content of the annexes was practically the same as the 'substance of the agreement reached by the Allied and Associated Powers before the arrival of the Germans (TIME, Aug. 11). The major distinction was that the Germans had approved the proposals and made the agreement international and effective by signing with the Allies.
Ruhr. Germany, with the unexpressed but self-evident sympathy of the U.S., Italy and Britain, was anxious to have the French and Belgians evacuate the Ruhr as soon as the Experts' Plan had been put into effect.
Originally, France and Belgium had demanded a period of two years in which to effect the desired evacuation; both had insisted that a nucleus of French and Belgian railway workers should be left in the occupied territory in case it should become necessary to resume economic control. In the face of fiery German opposition, it was subsequently agreed to evacuate the Ruhr within a maximum period of one year and to drop the demand relative to the railway men. Providing, therefore, that the Germans loyally cooperate in the working of the Experts' Plan, the Ruhr must be evacuated by the Franco-Belgian troops before Aug. 16, 1925.
Evacuation. The last exchange of letters between French, Belgians and Germans was of considerable import ance. In order to allow the Germans to meet their Opposition with concrete advantages obtained from the Conference, MM. Herriot, Theunis and Hymans wrote to Chancelor Marx: "At the moment approaching the close of the London Conference, which marks an important effort to establish a regime of international concord, the French and Belgian governments, desirous of giving immediate and spontaneous proof of their will to peace and their confidence in the engagements freely entered into, decide that they will order, on the day following the definite signature of the London agreement, the military evacuation of the zone of Dortmund and the territories outside that of the Ruhr occupied since Nov. 15, 1923. . . ."
Chancellor Marx made formal acknowledgment.
On the morrow of the day following the signing of the protocol France ordered the evacuation of the towns of Offenburg and Appenweier in Baden.
Commercial. Another of the impediments to the smooth running of the conference was concerned with commercial treaties. In return for concessions granted to Germany in respect of the Ruhr, France desired to obtain solid commercial advantages for herself, particularly with reference to an extension of the Alsace Agreement, incorporated in the Versailles Treaty, by which Alsatian produce is admitted duty free into Germany. In light of a coming era of renewed commercial activity Britain and Italy were also anxious to conclude new commercial treaties. The whole matter became so complex that it was decided to hold a special conference in Paris during October to deal with the problems and draw up the treaties.