The French leave the Rhineland

June 30, 1930. France's withdrawal of its last troops from the German Rhineland may not have been worth the effort. France withdrew its troops five years ahead of the date set by the Treaty of Versailles. This was largely due to Gustav Stressman, the German foreign minister, who was a master negotiator.

What France would gain from such a move is unclear. The French army was stationed in the Rhineland to ensure that Germany would abide by the Treaty of Versailles and not rearm. The Germans had long opposed the occupying forces, but now, alarmed by rising unemployment and political instability, they were not necessarily grateful for France's early withdrawal.

As soon as the French army left, Germany was not allowed to send troops to the left bank of the Rhine. Germany must also respect the demilitarized zone 30 miles east of the Rhine. This was stipulated in the original text of the Treaty of Versailles and confirmed by Germany at Locarno. The French High Commissioner overseeing the occupation, Paul Tillard, was congratulated by the Foreign Office for "completing a difficult and particularly delicate mission."