New-York tribune., 1921-11-26
Curzon'sS Speech,
Acts Like Cold
Spray i'm Paris
Following tho sympathetic
Words of Balfour at Wash
ington Reaction Is Aston
ishment and Resentment
Militarism Charge Denied
Officials Assert British h
Knew of Turkish Treaty
While Ii Was Being Made
BY Wilbur Forrest

Special CGOfc TO Ihe Tribune
Copyright 1921. New York Tribune Inc
PARIS, Nov. 25.--French opinion has
reacted sharply against Lord Curzon's
analysis of the French foreign policy
in his speech in London yesterday. 1t
may even be said that the consensus as
expressed in Paris to-day, in both Off
clal and unofficial circles, is that the
British Foreign Secretary's words have
multiplied, if anything, the air ,ady ex-
listing difficulties marring the harmo-
nious cooperation of the two nations in
their foreign policies, especially at a
time when both are sitting at the con-
ference table in Washington.
Following the gentle, comforting
words Of Mr.. Balfour in relation to
NJ BRANDS exposition of Frances
problems at Mondays plenary session
in Washington, Lord Curzon's speech
had somewhat the effect of cold
spray.
Paris Asks What Is British Policy?
"What is England's policy?" is the
question being asked here now. "1s it
expressed by Balfour or by Curzon :'
The question is disquieting because it
is regarded here as inconceivable that
Lord Curzon would utter words of
such purport as contained in his Lon
don speech without the advice of
Premier Lloyd George, who is expected
soon to be on his way to Washington.
1t is no violation of confidence to say
that the Foreign Office regards Lord
Curzon's indirect though plain refer
ence to French "militarism" and "im-
charges which Premier
BRAND tried hard to dissipate in his
Washington address-with extreme
astonishment in view of the sympa-
thetic expressions several days ago not
only of Mr.. Balfour but of other dele
gates.
Lord Curzon's comment, "It is no use
reducing armaments at sea if we are
still to contemplate the piling up of
vast armaments on land" is interpret
ed here as direct reproach to France
for maintaining her army and pos
sibly as forecast that England
is prepared to make a fight on
this point later in the sessions at
Washington, despite Mr.. Balfour's
acquiescence in the French thesis as
outlined by M. BRAND
Lord Curzon's reference to "splendid
isolation also is resented, because it
is interpreted to imply imperialism.
The Tribune was given spirited de-
nial of this charge in official circles
to-day. From purely analytical, dis
passionate viewpoint, it is felt here
that Lord Curzon's utterances are not
so much the outgrowth of develop
ments at Washington as of Frances re-
cent isolated signature to the treaty
with the Angora Turks. In this, it is
pointed out, France made every effort
to cooperate with Downing Street, in
order to avoid the suspicion that she
was carrying on an individualistic
policy in the Near East.
Says British Knew of Treaty
at took six men months to negotiate
this treaty." Foreign Office official
said to-day, "and both Premier Lloyd
George and Lord Curzon were familiar
with the negotiations. We even sent
Downing Street a nineteen-page docu-
ment explaining the provisions of the
treaty, and pointing out that it was
necessary because of Frances reduc-
ing her army in the Near East and
economizing financially.
"It was only after the treaty had
been irrevocably signed that Downing
Street objected This is the only oc-
casion in which France has acted alone
Lord Curzon's charges are unjustified
Frances policy always has been to
work in harmonious cooperation with
the Allies and she never has enter
tanned the thought of policy Of isola-
ton"
In brief, it is the opinion here that
Lord Curzon's speech will serve only
to make inter-Allied accord more diff
cult at time when it appeared other
new and ill-timed unpleasantness on
both sides of the Channel.
Blames British for Differences
The text of Lord Curzon's speech
was received in Paris too late for the
editorial reactions to be given in the
great battery of morning newspapers
but the opinion of these can be fore
cast reliably in to-night's "Temps,
the semi official organ, (which con
tends that the difficulties in the wa,
of Franco British cooperation since
the armistice are not the fault O,
France so much as Of Britain's un
yielding attitude.
AoTu SufLOH mas tOO muCH CudIdCtel
to make irresponsible statements OF
his own behalf, believes the "Temps,
whose opinion is that Curzon's speecl
reflects the policy of Lloyd George ant
the whole British Cabinet.
"If we we'll understand the polio.
exposed by Lord Curzon," says thi
journal, "it consists principally in tn
dictum that France should encourag
union rather than isolation. England
rightfully speaks of France in this con
nection because isolation is not advan
tageous to France. Lord Curzon say
that the greatest protection for ou
country is conscience, remarking OF
Frances part in the war as meritin
this conscience. In the interests of al
peoples it is better that the defender
of liberty should not again be reduce
to the same dangers and forced to tn
same sacrifices. That is why, in tn
face of Germany where monarchis
and Bolshevist agents are collaborating
, in fomenting strange movements, w
have remained armed against our will
Says Both Must Practice Union
"We regret that tie English polio
has never, since the armistice, give
an example of this union which Lor
Curzon counsels, union which canno
endure unless practiced by both sides.
Tho WTennnc1 discusses EroIor 4