Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-31
SUSPICION HINDERS|
ALLIES COOPERATION
France and England Once More at Odds
Over Latters Abrogation of Repa-
rations Enforcement Clause

| Lloyd George and President Wilson,
! peace realiZable. and at the same time
! not one which heaped upon Germany
burdens from which she never could
survive. France conceded her firm de-
mands that there be a tangible ALI
ance, offensive and defensive, lnsur-
ing the integrity of France through
promises of military cooperation.
French policy in the making Of the
terms was frustrated at every turn
on the ground that 1t was imperial
istic and not just. France made con-
cessions with the hope OF obtaining
United States. which. in turn, would
mean the protection of France.
Storm stirred In France.
France insisted that the treaty
should not be altered in the least So
far. the United tSates has not lived up
to promises made in Paris. France
feels forsaken in this direction. With
withdrawing her backing of one Of
the main clauses looking toward
complete fulfllment of reparations
pledges. the storm that has arisen in
France is understandable and thor
oughly justifiable when viewed from
Paris.
But it is not alone Englands action
in regard to the article XVIII that
alarms France. In this tendency to
draw away which she sees in the
British stand. France also foresees
great struggle over Germany's admit
lance to the league OF nations. France
has forebodings. for she begins to
realize that when the final vote is
taken it may see Great Britain aligned
with those powers ready to permit
Germany to enter the league at once
with full powers. while this to France
would be an insult.
The coming sessions of the league
council in Geneva are certain 10 De
stormy. Germany is active in build
ing up sentiment among members OF
lance. France Is as active in aligning
powers against the plan until Ger
many has gone farther than she al
ready has in meeting her obligations
to the allies and thereby proving her
good faith. France may count upon
the support Of those nations in which
she has been active in building up
French influence. namely. Poland.
Czechoslovakia. Jugoslavia and Ru-
mania. but when she turns to other
nations for support she fnds that
Italy and Scandinavian countries. as
we'll as many nations Of South Amer
lea. believe that in order to restore
world equilibrium. GERMANY should be
admitted to the league. France sus-
poets that the recent British abroga-
ton Of the postwar seizure clause to
promote British trade and influence
in Germany is but a step toward Eng
land formally aligning herself with |
Germany in the league admittance
issue.
French stand Changed.
During the period he occupied the
important position of premier, Prest- |
dent Millerand in all his deliberations |
with the allies at Brussels. San Reno. |
Boulogne and Spa. sought to recon- |
cile the Anglo French viewpoint SO
that future concord would not be haz- |
arded. He agreed to lump sum repair
ations. even reducing the amount
per cent. He advocated this with the |
provision that IL Germany did not pay
France was to occupy the Ruhr and
German customs houses until salts |
faction was obtained. There is an |
other strong faction. led by Clemen-
ceau. Tardieu and Poincare. which in |
a result of this Millerand's position |
has been materially modified and
much has been done to upset under |
reached by the allied pre-
miers. AS consequence Great Brit i
ain feels that inasmuch as France has |.
abrogated her pledges in large meas !;
ure Great Britain finds it necessary !
to proceed with a definite policy of ]
her own. irrAsard1ess Of the viewpoint |
Of Paris. With Britain feeling that |
any agreement effected with France |
in regard to Germany may be unset !
by the conflict Of official and public !;
French viewpoint. and. knowing it |
ever has been difficult to reconcile the i
two viewpoints in the treatment of |
Germany. it ia natural that there !
should be separate dealings with Ger
many irregardless Of what the French |
term the moral obligations of unity |
in enforcing the treaty Of Versailles. /
France. believing that Britain is ever |,
to perpetuate her own posi- /
ton over that of the allies. il safely |
NAV he said that all future dealings ]
will be conducted with utmost diff !.
Guilty. If not complete suspicion on !:
either side. That this will redown to |,
the disinterest Of France. more or less |
isolated in her present foreign pol |
icy. is even admitted in Paris. Lon |
don likewise would like to have II |
but as long as France and |
England set about to entrench them !
selves to the disadvantage of the 9TH |
er. these two countries being the lead !,
ers of Europe today. and seize every |
possible, there ia little !
chance of concord among the allies. !
either in or out Of the league Of ma |
tions.
Realizing this. it is not surprising |
that EuroDean mowers today WOO the |
advice and influence of !
the United States within the lea que. !;
There must be b:'ance wheel. and |
though France and England both as
oirc TO this position. the fast c"vstal- I
lizing alisnments of Europe will pre- |
clrde either from becoming so.