ii THE LEGALITY OF OCCUPYING GERMANY 51

it would be worth while to set up new plant with aview to production on a larger scale. Some authori-ties hold that the real future of lignite and its valueas an element in the future wealth of Germany liein improved methods of distillation (the chief obstacleto which, as also to other uses, lies in its high watercontent), by which the various oils, ammonia andbenzine, latent in it can be released for commercialuses.

It is certainly the case that the future possibilitiesof lignite should not be overlooked. But there isa tendency at present, just as was the case withpotash some little time ago, to exaggerate its im-portance greatly as a decisive factor in the wealth-producing capacity of Germany .

EXCUESUS II

THE LEGALITY OP OCCUPYING GERMANY EASTOP THE RHINE

The years 1920 and 1921 have been filled withexcursions and with threats of excursions by theFrench Army into Germany east of the Ehine. InMarch 1920 France , without the approval of herAllies, occupied Frankfort and Darmstadt . In July1920 a threat to invade Germany by the Allies as awhole was successful in enforcing the Spa Agreement.In March 1921 a similar threat was unsuccessful in