Evening star., 1921-12-11
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

very much excited about
" " the future financial situa-
tion on the continent. and
several countries wall over fantastical
goblins that every now and then thrust
themselves upon the horizon, particu-
larly Germany's inability to pay repa-
rations. the British government Is lay
ing the foundation work for Europe's
advance. Possibly this is the reason for
the quick recovery Of the pound sterling
in the money marts Of the world. There
is seen in British nlaneuvers during the
past few weeks definite steps toward
the rehabilitation of old world cOndi-
tions And after the restabilibing
processes, and when conditions actually
approach normal, there is every reason
to believe it will be found that the Brit
ish will again, as they have after pre-
vious European wars, hold the trump
cards, financially and economically
speaking.
1t is not without some misg:ving that
the French government watches me
course of deliberations between Ut.
many, and representatives of Britain IN
London. 1t is but natural that trencn
financial experts, headed by LOUIS
Loucheur. minister of the liberated re-
gions, should go to London 70 coniSr
with British government officials ~niie
the Germans are there. OF course, the
reparations question must be thresneo
out between the French AID British be-
fore there can be any definite change IN
the methods of Germany settling her
war debt. but it is exceedingly likely
that the French. having been heretofore
uninformed, will be particularly inter-
ested in seeing just how Tar the BRUSH
intend to go in the financing OF Ger
many in order that Germany may meet
her repartions payments and set Wheeis
in motion looking toward complete m
dustrial and financial recovery from the
war.
In fact. it may be stated that there
IS definite trend toward a great pusl-
ness rapprochement between the finan-
land Plans which have long lam
dormant in the minds OF Britisn
financial leaders apparently are 70
bear fruit The British could not
measure Of assistance in aiding
Germany to her financial feet. But II
is a noticeable fact that when hugo
SHINES, the great German industrial
baron. went to London. to be followed
shortly by Ratheanau. they were
greeted with much warmth. Through
their requests the British plan to as.
sst Germany. thereby bringing ABOUT
union of British gold with German
Drawn and industrial ingenuity, got
we'll under way.
The German reparations payments.
500 ,O0O, 900 gold marks on January l5
and another 215.000.ooO in February'
which payments Germany says she
cannot meet without outside ASSIST
ance. is the ostensible reason for the
Anplo-German negotiations. but it is
generally credited that the delibera-
tions will be but an excuse for open
ing up general cooperation between
England and Germany.
1t is not believed that England in
tends to ssc-ifce the interests Of her
can prove that nationalistic and i'm
perialstic theories are not being ad-
vanced against the best interests of
the continent as a whole.
II Is significant that the Germans
approached England with a mora
torium plan Immediately after the
BRAND land armament speech III
the split between France and Eng
land over the near east became ap.
parent. 1t likewise is signlhcant Inat
England opened her ears to the Ger
man pleas But. when the showdown
comes. when Lloyd George and BRAND
take up the question Of coming rep
arations payments. there will be no
great divergence between them, for
il has been announced in the past
week there has been noticeable
change in sentiment in certain French
circles.
Whether or not this change is
sufficient to induce Premier BRAND
to fly in the face of critical opposi-
ton headed by Poincare. and fully
agree to British plans. is not known.
hut it is believed certain that the
BRAND official regime is coming more
to the British viewpoint that some
such steps should be taken to assist
Germany Undoubtedly the French
will make counter proposals looking
toward the strictest guarantees that
Germany will keep the faith. should
reparations be deferred under the
Euise of moratorium. and there may
be some squa billing over this. but 1t
is now believed that there will be
agreement
* x i X
However the French are placed in
position of merely approving what /
the British and Germans have
wrought in secret negotiations that
,,a,.o beo, carried IN in London dur.