Evening star., 1920-12-01
FRANCE WOU[DGVE
us. .GREATERFAv0R
Desires to Grant Equal 0p-
pOrtunities to American and
British Oil Trusts.
PLEASED WITH RIVALRY
Political Experts Warn Against
Action That Might Annoy
This Country.
BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News
Copyright, 1890.

BY PAUL SCOTT MOWRER.
By Cable to The Star and Chicago Daily News
Copyright, 1920.
PARIS, France, December l.
Quickening of the commercial rivalry
between Britain and the United States
which is considered here to give every
appearance of deepening into polit-
! ical rivalry. tends more and more to
dominate the European political sit
uation- The tendency is more and
more to play Britain against the
United States, SO as to endeavor to es-
cape from the onerous concessions
which the British continually succeed
ed in imposing on the French last
year.
Despite the San Reno convention.
at which she signed over all the
French oil development to Britain
France now desires. so far as tn,
French market is concerned, to Civ,
equal opportunities to the British and
American oil trusts. During the last
year France has been buying half
or Britain's coal output at the high
price of 130 shillings (normally $3l. .2O)
ton, not including transportation
most or the proceeds going into the
British exchequer as profit. For a
pensive, costing $32 a ton. but last
month France succeeded in buying
zoo. 600 tons at SIG.
The result has been that France has
informed Britain that she will not
renew the Franco British contract
next year unless the British reduce
the price. The latter seem inclined
TO meet the American competition
ana are now offering the best grades
or or coal at 20 shillings (s16.sO) a ton
Such, say the delighted French
are the benefits of competition" and
1ney desire to see Britain and the
united States compete as much as
possible, even in the field of business
Would Not Annoy America.
French political experts are contin.
ually sounding a warning against TAX
ing any diplomatic action which might
possibly annoy the United States.
french representatives In the league
OF nations are counseled always to
keep the American point OF view in
nina. LAction Franchise, comment
ing on the compromise just reached
IN London regarding the nonresident
German vote in the Silesian plebi-
sclte. points out that the United States
Favored the prohibition of the nom
resident vote and that before France
mise proposal the assent of the United
states should be obtained
lettering to the Anglo-American
controversy over the MosuI oil fields.
jacques Bainvil1e, the noted expert
In forSign affairs. says:
The discussion which has opened
oetWeen Washington and London MAY
take the gravest turn some day
what shall our attitude be? How
oeeply shall we become engaged? In
the face of possible conflicts in the
future we must not ALLEVIATE our in
dependence" IN
'The United States since the cleo.
ions is turning again toward Europe
and toward u.s." says Leon Bailby. edi-
tor OF the Intransigeant, who FREQUENT
~ expresses the government opinion.
whether in the vital oil question or
in the questions of coal, credits and
commerce in general, the United States
wants her share in the world move
ment She needs our help: she asks il
and is willing to pay for it,
Reallzing the new situation created
Dy the growing commercial aggressive
ness OF the United States, part of the
British opinion, it is reported here, has
become nervous and is demanding a new
Franco-British alliance Six months
ago France would doubtless have ac-
cepted gladly, but now with her new
policy of playing the United States
against Britain, France, says NJ Bail
by, should ascertain whether this alli-
ance is going to demand nothing of her
save sacrifices and renunciations and il
it will never take the French point of
view into consideration.
One thing is sure: The more rivalry
between Britain and the United States
that develops, the stronger will the diplo-
matte position of France become.