New-York tribune., 1920-08-04
1 'rench Fear
Soviet Peril
In Germany
Attack on Italian Detach-
ment at AlIenssein and
Disorders at Danzig Cause
OF New Apprehensions
By Ralph Courtney
Special Cable to l'hc I,,.,I,,.,,n


Copyright. 1920. New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, Aug. 3.-The French look
with apprehension upon the signs of
agitation in Germany, ACCOMMODATING
the grave news from Poland that the
First and Fourth armies defending
warsaw have been separated by the
Solsheviki and both are in full re-
treat
An attack by the Germans on an
Italian detachment in Allenstein swells
the ferment in Posnania, and disorders
at Danzig> are considered to show that
Germany cannot be depended upon to
withstand the Bolshevik infiltration. It
is felt here that with or without gov
ernment consent, parts of Germany
will become Red if Poland succumbs
to the peril threatening her. The
declarations of Herr Simons, the Ger
man Foreign Minister, on the situation.
are not taken as reassuring If the
situation in Poland does not immedi
ately improve, capture of Warsaw by
the Bolsheviki appears imminent.
however. the French, particularly in
official circles, continue to hope for
the best.
They saw that Warsaw will be stoutlv
defended. The French recall that the
Germans nearly reached Paris, but
We're stopped in time. On the other
hand, private news from Poland sounds
a pessimistic note. Capture OF War
saw would mean great setback to
French policy.
Hungary Enters IyndertaL;ny
France has made every endeavor to
consolidate the anti Bolshevik forces
OF the world. She desired to turn Po
land into an eastern bulwark of an
anti Bolshevik bloc. Hungary entered
by undertaking to cooperate against
the Reds. France would like to have
Rumania and Czecho-S -Slovakia also
enter the anti-Red coalition, but these
countries arc not so encouraging as
Hungary. They are somewhat doubtful
as to what effect an anti-Red declara-
ton of war would have on public opin-
ion, and, above ALL they fear subse-
qucnt Bolshevik revenge. Warsaw is
the key to French policy. If Warsaw
falls, it is still more doubtful whether
the Rumaniars or Czechs would fight
full sprinking of French and British
l.,
the dispatch of troops in large num-
bers by France and England is not yet
in question. Both recognize the great
difficulties which such project would
encounter in their respective countries
But it is nevertheless recognized that
if peace with the Bolsheviki is impos-
sible, it probably will mean war in
earnest.
SOviets Must RecOynfze Debts
France still maintains the attitude
that the Soviets must recognize the
debts of the former Russian govern
ments before she will consent to nego-
tiate. Officially speaking, she still is
doubtful whether she will take full
part in the projected London confer
encc, but she is very anxious that #
she does attend America shall also be
there. Premier Miilerand, it is said
IN French official circles, is tired Of the
continual tete-a-tetes with Premier
Lloyd George. He wants a third party
who will be able to act in the nature
Of an arbiter. Italy does not take a
strong enough position in the knotty
problems before the Supreme Council 10
play the part of neutral international
opinion.
France considers that the London
conference involves probable modifica-
tions of the Versailles treaty and.
therefore, in any case America should
attend AS France is not certain that
America Will attend, she is unable TO
SEND an invitation to America, but She
has made known in an informal manner
her anxiety that America should be
there.