Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-02
BY FRANK H, sIMONDs.


TN the face of many confusing and
contradictory reports coming
from the great San Reno con-
ference two things seem reason
ably clear. The British and the
French have, at least for the moment.
accommodated their differences In the
matter Of the enforcement OF the
treaty Of Versailles. and still another
desperate effort has been made to get
rid of two OF the main items of I'M
finished business left over from the
Paris conference. namely. the eastern
question and the Adriatic problem.
AS to the Anglo-French dispute. 1t
is clear that the first stage in the
discussion was by no means devoid
OF bitterness. The press OF Paris ana
London testified to a sharp encounter
between Millerand and Lloyd George
at the outset. which momen NJ ny
promised to lead to break IN the
ranks of the entente. The British pro-
posed that the Germans should De IN
vited to come to San Reno: not I'M
possibly they were ready to appear on
short notice. This suggestion was
heartily Endorsed by Nitti. speaking
for Italy. But it was dennitiVely
blocked by Millerand.
Deadlocked upon the main issue-for
the German question was and must
remain the chief concern OF European
statesmen-the conferees passed 10
the debate of the eastern question.
while behind this screen there were
exchanges in secret Meetings between
Millerand and Lloyd George, present
ly taking on a milder character. as
birthday parties and social gatner-
ings, became the order Of the day
Paris and London became less pessi-
mistic, Millerand and George began
to talk to the press. and, last OF al;
there emerged statement that all
had been arranged, composed. COM
promised.
Warns Against Optimism.
Yet we shall do well to avoid TOO
prompt acceptance of the optimistic
statements which mark the last stage
Of the San Reno conference. II only
because the world has had too many
such statements in past months, all OF
which have, in the end. proved to be
inaccurate, the expression OF nope
rather thsa the yeracious s, report ,;e OF
ment must be found in the later ap-
plication of the principles agreed
Upon Nor can one forget that Mil
lerand has to explain his policy to a
very censorious chamber OF deputies
| in no mood to accept any sacrifice OF
French interests and unanimously
agreed to insist upon an integral en-
forcement of the treaty of Versailles.
The main difficulty in the Anglo
French dispute lies in the fact that
Lloyd George and Millerand in the
matter of the German question. rather
the difference is between England and
France. The English believe that the
existing chaos. economic. military.
moral, in Europe can only be abol-
Ia IN nv
| of an allied policy which will enable
Germany to get back to work. to be-
gin the gigantic task of reconstruc-
ton, one result Of which beginning
will be the commencement OF pay
ments to France.
George said in his interview at San
Reno that Germany was sick. that her
disease had paraly1ed her will. and
| her brain no longer controlled the
movements Of her limbs. He brushed
| aside the notion that Germany was
| military menace: he snapped his I'm
gers at the fears. mainly French.
which are the product Of a totally
different reading Of the German sit
uation. In doing this he voiced the
present opinion in Britain. the ma
| and not in France. strong minority
which takes a radically different view.
But Millerand. in his interview
| and in his attitude in the confer
! ence. expressed the French view.
France, resting her case upon the
| treaty Of Versailles. demands that the
| first step to be taken in treating the
German patient shall be to remove
his arms. to insist upon. to compel
rehabilitation. Nor is France less
determined that. whatever assistance
! may be furnished. the assistance
shall not be accompanied by for
, giveness of German performance I'M
der the treaty Of Versailles. where
performance is possible, as 1t mani
testify is in the case of the coal de-
liveries.
Underlying SuspiciOns in Nations.
Unfortunately, these two opposing
I views. not absolutely irreconcilable
| in themselves. are accentuated by the
| harbor concerning each other. Thus
the British believe that underlying
all else in the French attitude is
/ desire to seize German territory. to
use the treaty to destroy Germany
| that the occupation of Frankfort
was only a clear example of French
| territorial and militaristic policy.
Such a policy, to the English mind,
leads straight to new wars. follow
period of economic chaos. At one
time. the British believe. such a policy
will stimulate Prussianism and boil
shevism, between which there is little
to choose, SO far as future peace is
concerned.
The French. on their side. see in
the British course the revelation of
eign policies. the peoce Of Europe-to
the desire to resume profitable COM
mercial relations with Germany.
France sees the British forsaking