New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-08-13
Indemnity Due From
Germany and Holdings
in Russian Bonds Infiu-
enced Millerand's Act
Lloyd George Held
In Check by Labor
France Relying Upon
Anti-Soviets in U. S.
to Sanction Her Stand
By Ralph Courtney
Special Cable to The Tribune


PARIS, Aug. 1.-THE Franco
British entente to-day is almost at
the breaking point. There is consider
able speculation as to whether the
present quarrel between the French
and British governments does not
mean that these two countries have
now permanently drifted apart.
France outwardly affects astonish-
ment that England should be so anx-
ious to make peace with the Bolshe~
wiki. In secret she is delighted at
the spectacle Of Britain's impotence
in the face of the Bolshevik peril.
England's own Red forces, Pre-
mier Lloyd George told Premier
Millerand at Hythe, prevented him
from following an active anti-Red
program. France has long suspected
that, while processing horror at the
Bolsheviki, Lloyd George was doing
everything possible to bring about
peace with the soviets.
France Relied on America
France desired to break away
from this policy, but was unable to
do so. AS much as M Millerand dis
liked Mr.. Lloyd Georges weakness
for Krassin and Kameneff, France
could not break away, supported by
no other European power except
Hungary, and possibly Belgium. She
eventually concluded, however. that
the strong anti-Bolshevik feeling in
America compensated her for any
opposition she might encounter in
Europe.
France, therefore, launched out with
a program of her own for the first
time since the war.
French political circles, where great
objection always is taken to following
in England's wake, are delighted with
Frances new found freedom. France
knows that England's only answer to
her anti-Bolshevik move in recognize
ing General Wrangel would be one
which England would hesitate to make
If England does not now follow France
in her anti-Red policy she must eventu-
ally seek her friends in Germany and
Soviet Russia.
Both Nations Astonished
While England is manifesting sur
prise at Frances recognition Of Wran-
gel, France shows equal astonishment
at England's recommendation to Poland
to sign the peace treaty with :he Boil
sheviki. France, which holds immense
sums IN Russian bonds issued by the
Cars government, complains that Eng
land for some time past has been grad
ually maneuvering her into position
wiki, regardless of whether they pay the
Cars debts in full or not
France stands for no peace with the
Bolsheviki until these debts are rec
ognzed. General Wrangels govern
ment sent to France this recognition
and France intends to support him
against the Bolsheviki until they also
behave as legitimate successors of the
previous Russian regime.
Two factors dominate the French.
One is the indemnity due from Ger
Frances immense holdings in Russian
bonds. In regard to the first of these,
France feels fairly secure. If Ger
many refuses to fulfill her obligations
France can at any time, with Eng
lands assent, invade the Ruhr region
and take sufficient coal to pay the
Preparations debt,
1t is even rumored that at the Hythe
conference England finally capitulated
on the Ruhr question, recognizing
Frances right to invade the Ruhr, not
only if Germany fails to deliver coal
or neglects to disarm, but for any
breach of the Versailles treaty what
soever.
France Upholds Capitalism
If France now consents to England's
policy of leniency toward Russia and
fails to support anti-Bolshevik Rus
sian and Polish elements, she will have
nothing substantial to offer Russia in
exchange for Russia's recognition of
her debts toward France. At the same
time France desires to uphold the
capitalistic principle, which she con-
siders in danger of being swamped by
wave of communism from the East
Frances experiences in Poland, where
she tried in vain to rally the Polish
army, shows, in the opinion of French
military circles, that contact with Boil
shevism gradually weakens the morale
OF nations which come in touch with it.
She desires to stop its march westward
before it reaches the frontiers Of
western Europe.
PARIS, Aug. IL (By The Associated
Press) Great Britain has commu-
nlcated officially with France with
regard to the differences between
the two governments, it develops from
a statement made by the semi-official
Havas Agency to-day. The statement
says:
THE British Charge d'Afraires this
morning brought to the General Secre-
tary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
communication from the British gov
eminent. From the conversation en-
gagged in between the charge and NJ.
PaleologIe (Maurice PaIeologue. Cen