Rhineland occupation negotiations

The German Reich-government has authorised me, Walther Rathenau, with the authority to negotiate with the foreign ministers of Belgium, Britain and France over the status of the Rhineland. We seek to establish a faster time table for the end of the presence of the foreign troops on our soil.

Firstly, we would like the French government to decrease their troop presence inside the Rhineland and that the number of troops allowed temporary permit to stay on German soil will be defined by a treaty, stating the maximum number of troops.

Secondly, we would like the scheduled time for withdrawal from the Rhineland to be placed in the spring of 1925, rather than 1935.

In return, we promise to keep the Rhineland demilitarised.

Walther von Rathenau, foreign minister of the German Reich-government.

France has a legal right to place as many Troops as it likes into the Rhineland, until the withdrawal date. I would say to the German Government stop trying to change the terms of the Treaty!

Is it possible for you to give the German people an assurance you will not try to separate the Rhineland from the German Reich?

(For the purpose of this thread I will be role-playing Belgium and possibly the LN)

Belgium has been recently touched by the warm words and actions of the German President who is helping to restore the city of Leuven to its former glory.  Whilst we can not forget the horrors that Germany brought upon our nation we can try to look forward in the spirit of mankind and in the knowledge that an even bigger threat is beginning to develop in the east.

With this in mind, Belgium would potentially be willing to withdraw from Rhineland at an earlier date - not necessarily 1925 - if Britain and France are also willing to discuss the new terms of such a withdrawal.  A permanent de-militarised zone would seemingly be crucial for any new agreement to take place.

We would like to talk the Belgian government for their constructive approach, and would like to offer arbitration by the League of Nations. To ensure that no attempts are made from any part to change the territorial borders pertaining the Rhineland, maybe the occupation forces nearby should be put underneath an administration appointed by the League of Nations?

I, The Earl Curzon of Kedleston has been instructed to starkly reject these German advances, both regarding re-planning the withdrawal and increased LoN involvement.

The Reich government is applauding the reduction of troops in the Rhineland as a prudent step to normalisation of the situation in Europe. We hope this can become the start of a better relationship between the French and German peoples.