Evening star., 1921-03-06
AFTERMATH PERILS
IN INDEMNITY ISSUE
All Statesmen Participating in London
Conference Face Flarebacks-Ger-
man Upheaval Possible. =

showed that he is firm for the Paris
agreement, at least his stand has les
sened the effectiveness of his enemies
attacks in England, and at the same
time ne mas won greater solidarity
between France and England.
Adjustments Possible.
The firm stand of the British pre-
mier, after the Germans had thought
to divide the French and British. un-
doubtedly has impressed Berlin that
the allies are in no MOOD to temporiZe
or weaken their present position.
Ihat there may be some adjustments
in the general scheme of payments
etc. in case the Germans finally agree
to meet the allied stipulations can be
taken for granted. In the abandon
ment of previously expressed fears in
regard to Germany for his firm stand
for fulfillment of the Paris agree
ment, which is strictly French in its
source, one acquainted with European
conditions wonders just what diplo-
matte game the British premier is
playing. That the French have made
concessions in other readjustment
problems for favorable stand of Eng
land on the question of reparatons,
is generally conceded. but where and
how are questions which cannot De
judged at the moment
Premier BRAND, if he sustains the
Paris agreement, will have won one
of the greatest triumphs of his career.
He not only will have met the INSIST
ent French popular demand that the
boche must pay literally, but Will
have robbed the Poincare opposition
of it's chief bludgeon, designed par
ticularly for the BRAND ministry.
Brands Firm Position.
premier BRAND is in position at the
a avvr1
porizing, for the French are aroused
as at no time since the war ended.
and are ready to utilize an army OF
nearly a million men at any Juncture
to obtain French aspirations.
This condition has not been true
during the greater portion OF the
time since the armistice. for during
period of nearly eighteen months the
various French governments existent
without much hesitation expressed
fears of the radical elements in
France. How far the spirit of boil
shevism had penetrated the ranks OF
the common people was not known.
count this danger. In addition France
is recovering with leaps and bounds
commercially, economically and in
every sense except financially. and
with the fixing of the reparations
payments even in this regard France
VIII De aDie TO pEOCceu dloHS uCiiltC
lines. Premier BRAND knows that If
England shows the white feather in
the collection of indemnities. France
can proceed about her business. and
even though from the viewpoint OF
manpower Germany may be stronger.
France is sufficiently organized to set
in motion any scheme she may have
in mind to collect her just deserts.
Besides. France has the assistance of
Belgium in any eventuality. But it
appears that France will get Eng
lands aid to the limit unless there
agreements as to policies and methods
in the actual carrying out Of imposed
stipulations.
1t is the hue and cry of political
enemies at home. who declare Lloyd
George has hazarded alliances coupled
ready to proceed anyway, that may
have Influenced the British premier in
his decisions to perpetuate the Paris
agreements at any cost
Chief Feature Of Moment.
But the great predominating fea-
ture at the moment is that the allied
premiers are in accord and Germany
is going to be forced to pay to the
limit for the tremendous sufferings
she brought upon the world. In no
country is there objection to this; on
the other hand, qualification that the
allies finally have quit quibbling and
placed their feet on firm paths, even
though it is not definitely known just
where these paths will lead because
Of the tremendously unsettled conditions
prevailing abroad.
From the very start there has been
feeling that the Germans first offer
would not be their last. DR.. Simons
statement that Germanys position
was misunderstood and that there
would be little excuse for initiating
allied coercive measures leads to the
hope that Germany wiz yet see the
light and go about her business of
settling her war bill. Mondays re-
ply to the allies will determine at
least. what the present German gov
ernment will do, but that reply. as
before stated, also may determine
whether that government will live
long enough to ever see the German
people become reasonably reconciIed
to the envitable or impressed with the
responsibilities placed upon them.