Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-10-31
nv OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

" RANCE and Great Britain again
X are at odds AS time goes on
it becomes increasingly appar-
cnt that there will be contin-
ued difficulty in adjusting the Franco
British viewpoints. not only in The
league of nations. but in all steps to-
ward the fulf1llment of the treaty of
Versailles.
Briefly put. the conflict arises in
British desire to mitigate the ofIense s
OF Germany, at least set in motion
processes designed to restore the old
world commercial equilibrium deemed
essential to the well being of the con-
tinent at large. France demands that
the treaty Of Versailles be lived up to
by Germany; that every cent expect
ed in the way Of separations be ex-
acted and that Germany be treated as
an enemy state until Germany's good
faith has been established beyond
peradventure of doubt. The British
argue that this policy cannot conduce
to quick after war recovery.
er countries dependent largely upon
a prosperous central Europe for their
own advance.
Predominant Issue.
Conflicts of opinion have arisen be-
tween the British and French gov
ernments. over Poland, Silesia, the
near east and Russia, but the one
great predominant issue which has
caused growing suspicion on the part
:of France is the insistence of the Brit
ish that there be a degree Of leniency
toward Germany. France has not
forgiven Germany. She never will
She ever will look to the east with
aArahf Int ho nj 70
that with continued suspicion and no
tendency to relent in the treatment
of Germany, France as well as all
other Of the allies must suffer COM
merciaIy, and that any retarding Of
Industrial or business pursuits but in
creases the burdens of the European
peoples and prolongs the date when
Europe can return tosa semblance of
normality.
While France continues to dwell in
the land Of suspicion and doubt, Eng
land is striking forward diplomatic
ally, politically and commercially,
aiming at the revival Of old trade and
the development OF new fields France
has not progressed as fast. because
Frances internal burdens have been
tremendous and there turks in the
minds and hearts Of ,ofiicials in Paris
the belief that England is trying to
seize advantage Of Frances dilemma
to further England's interests.
ReDarat1ons the Keystene.
Reparations and German indemni-
ties OF Whatsoever kind are the key
stone Of Frances rehabilitation
schemes. Everything is predicated
upon complete collection of the vast
sums alleged to be due her. estimated
In round numbers at about $25,25O,-
100000. France guards the terms of
the treaty OF Versailles with jealousy
and insists that every word tending
toward strict fulhllment by Germany
be lived up to. It is not surprising
that when 1t was announced by the
British foreign ONCE that Great Brit
ain had waived Britain's rights under
article Is Of annex 2 of the repara-
tions clause. whereby the allied ma
tons are given the right to seize Ger
man property within their borders
should Germany fail to abide by the
treaty terms. that roars Of indigna-
ton should come from France. The
situation may be summarized as fol-
lows.
Under the British action the German
business man may deposit large sums
of money in British banks for the
contamination OF business transact
tions. German business men. now
lacking adequate shipping OF their
own, because of large surrenders to
the allies, can feel perfectly assured
that II he uses British ships his goods
will not be seized by England in case
fault on the terms of the treaty of
Versailles.
Result Of Action.
There can be but one result. British
ships will be used and the German
business man accorded this leniency
will begin to develop his trade with
the British to the disadvantage of all
allied nations who do not accord SINH
lar privileges. France might be asked
by Germany to accord like. privileges.
Paris will refuse German business
men finding favorable treatment from
England and not France. naturally
will turn to the former country and
before the French government could
modify it's stand. public opinion pre-
GLIDING alterations, Britain would
have q strange hold on German trade.
which would last through the decades.
principally by virtue of the favorable
feeling bui1ded up by concession.
France looks upon the situation as
further proof that if England can ac-
comp1ish desired ends by forsaking
the allies she will do so. This view.
though possibly unfair, nevertheless
win cling in Paris and Is certain to
prove the medium of further discord
between the two countries.
France has not forgotten that dur
ing the conference in Paris, she was
forced to give up her ideas of string
emit peace for the policy pursued by