New-York tribune., 1920-10-11
League Future
May Depend ON
Parley To-day
Lloyd George to Ask Della
croix why Belgium and
France Have Failed to
Keep the Spa Agreement
Differences Now Vital
Opinion Spreads That Cove
nant Has Proved made
quate to- Cure World Ills
By Arthur S. Draper


Copyright, 1920, New York Tribune Inc
LONDON. Oct 10.-The conference
to take place here tomorrow between
the Belgian Prime Minister. Delacroix,
and Lloyd George promises develop
ments of profound Importance in the
relations between England and France.
Delacroix will be asked to explain
frankly why his government and that
of Millerand have failed to keep the
agreement reached at Spa in July re-
garding the question of German in
demnity. At that time it was mutually
agreed that commission consisting
OF equal numbers of represep eptatives of
the countries involved, including Ger
many, should meet at Geneva and can
vass the whole question of reparation
and report later to the Supreme Coun-
Gil.
The British were amazed when they
learned that Millerand had called the
commission to Paris and Earl Curzon
was directed to send an immediate in
curry concerning the move. 1t is
learned that the French explanation
was far from satisfactory, and conse-
quently DelacrolX was invited to come
here.
Present Difference Serious
AS indicated previously in these dis
patches, England and France have fire.
quently been at variance. but this time
mo dliterence seems to be Of an in
finltely more serious nature It is com
mon knowledge that LLOYD George and
Mlllerand were unable to agree in re-
gard to Russia and Poland, but hither-
to they have always been able to COM
promise on their German policy.
w hat annoys the British is that the
inspired French press repeatedly pub
llshed as fact that the American
government was lending full support to
the new French policy toward Ger
many while, on the other hand English
ofhclals declare they have been assured
by Washington that this was not the
case. The United States is said bv
these officials to be in full sympathy
with the British viewpoint repardjnr
reparation "'"s
Behind all these diplomatic differ.
ences there is fierce commercial
struggle. The British are Determined
10 DO business with Germany and Rus
sla, and are also determined to allow
no obstacle to be placed in the wav of
IS true that there is a difference of opin-
ion here as to the wisdom OF this
course which exists even in the Cabi-
net-but the majority favor rcsumption
of trade relations.
The success Of the Polish Bolshevik
conference at Riga was far heyond the
expectations Of most British officials
and they now believe that nothing
should be done which would jeopardize
this success
Future of League Involved
These diplomatic differences NAV
have very injurious influence or the
ASSEMBLY o. the League of Nations at
Geneva next month. Says The Nation:
"lh he league imbedded in the YER
sailes treaty is inevitably regarded by
France and the satellites Of the French
policy belgium and Poland) simply as
a possible instrument for tile maintain
ing or executing of the system which
that treaty seeks TO impose upon Eu-
rope" It even suggests the advisa
bIiity of Britain Withdrawing from
this shameful or perverted league"
porters Of the league aow believe that
it has lost all its power for usefulness
and has become danger to interna-
/ tional relations, as il can SO often be
used as ca.noufage. This very weak
ness Of the league is considered re.
sponsible for the failure Of the Brus
sels economic conference which ha:
just ended
Although representatives OF TWO
score countries met around confer
ence table in the hope OF curing III,
worlds financial ills. the great power!
treated the gathering with Indifference,
and the result has been that it's find
ings will have no material effect. /
the league is as impotent as it's erst
while friends admit. then the differ
eHces between countries which wer,
held together by comradeship dur n,
the war will loom larger and becom
more threatening.