Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-12-27
FRANCE DISTURBED
OVER COLLECTIONS
Of WAR INDEMNITY
Tardieu Declares That Peo-
pie Regard BRAND as Hav-
ing Failed at London Con-
ference
BY ANDRE TARDIEU
Former French High Commissioner
to America.)

Especial Cable to The Journal and Chicago
Daily News-Copyright, 1921
France is disheartened that the CONVEX
satio0s CT the past few days between Pre-
mer BRAND anG Prime Minister Lloyd
George effected no better understanding be-
tween the French and English governments
as to dealing with Germany when she de-
clares herself bankrupt early in January
and defaults upon her repara tions.)
PARIS, Dec. 24.-The "conver-
sations'' between Lloyd George and
Premier BRAND at London this
week, it seems to- me, did not go
very far toward positive results.
The press comments on the meeting
and the announcement of successive
conferences in January have disturb
ed every thinking Frenchman.
You know the origin of the inter-
views. Germany wrote that she
could not make her January and
February payments. The reparations
commission unanimously responded
that it could not even examine the
communication. Thereupon M.
BRAND went to London. The French
public concluded with good deal
Of satisfaction that he had gone
to define the means to be employed
in forcing Germany to pay, but al
most the first news from England
dissipates this hope 1t was said
the two premiers had discussed con-
ditions of delay for Germany, and
were ready further to modify the
conditions Of payment. A grand con-
France was counselled to evacuate
soviets of Russia, and Germany.
We heard from England that
France was counselled to eXacuate
the left bank of the Rhine, or in
any case to reduce the number of
men stationed there.
French May Balll
This would be destruction pure and
simple, to the treaties of 1919. The
days of the conversations" passed
and nothing was decided. It is
sal everything is to be rediscussed.
One cannot predict at this time
the fate Of any of the astonishing
projects brought forward at Lon
don. I can say, however, and it is
necessary for America to know it,
that if such plans materialize.
French opinion which has supported
for two years so many mutilations
of French rights, will balk.
It is only too clear that London
once more has tried to consider only
Germany's capacity to pay. The
French people would consider their
will to pay. Everything points to.
day to the fact that any bankruptcy
at this time on the part of Germany
would be fraudulent.
i,o fnys &ur
years has tried to- cheaper her pa
per money by government waste and
prodigious subsidies, all the while
keeping the gold earned through eX-
portation. Thus Germany is forced
to artificial bankruptcy. Will she
be permitted to stay in bankruptcy?
This is not question of ability. II
is a question of desire. 1t seems
there will be no attempt to make
Germany change herr mind. Vainly
the reparations commission declares
that Germany can pay. Nainly May
nard Keynes himself expressed the
same opinion. But no coercion is
envisaged; nothing is discussed but
pOStpOnementS.
Instead we are told to retire our
troops from the Rhine SO as to re-
duce Germany's charges. We are
told further to sit at the table with
SHINES and Krassin, representatives
respectively of German imperialism
and Russian bolshevism. In the
face of all this we must keep our
hope that common sense will re-
turn.
Nation Exasperated
In the face of all this we must
keep our hope that common sense
will return. If the present way is
kept up it will release an exaspera-
ton in France equal to the patience
of the last two years.
Newspapers, inspired by the gov
eminent, do not say t3is, but it is
= Continued TN Page 6. Column 81
/ ~ IT ~