New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-24

Hamburg in connection with the gen.
eral French plan of invasion of the
Ruhr if Germany defaults on Nav |
Premier Lloyd George did not refuse
the task offered, but said the matter
would have to have his serious con.
sideration.
Lloyd George is understood to have
entered the conferences with the atti-
tude that if the Germans offer to full
their equivalent these should be CON
sidercd in the light of possible guar
antics and pronounced acceptable. 1t
is reported, however. that as soon as
Lloyd George began the discussions
with BRAND he came rapidly around
to the French Premier's point Of view
and tonight is seriously inclined. to
accept the French policy toward Ger
many Of compulson if she fails to pay,
provided France and England can
reach general agreement on all out
standing questions between them.
Harding Note an Influence
President HsrdinG's note to Berlin
answering DR.. Simons's Plea for media
ton seems destined to play great
part in the discussions between the
French and British Premiers and may
even bring about considerable a'tera-
tons of either or both of their poll
cics. A large section of British For
cign Office opinion, which is said to be
gaining ground with Lloyd George, is
somewhat impatient of American in
tervention in European affairs. The
effect of these circumstances is to
bring the British in:o alignment with
the French point of view. Lord Derby,
the British Ambassador to France. is
said to be the chief British apostle of
the view that LLOYD George should
support the French policy. 1t is sig
niticant that he came to Lympne today
and had lunch with the British Pre-
mier.
The fact that Frances pro-Turk
policy in the Near East is having con-
siderable success against the British
pro-Greek attitude makes the British
Premier even more inclined to follow
the French lead in the Ruhr as part of
a general. agreement.
President Harding's note caused con-
sternation among the French. The
Paris government wants the United
States to take an interest in European
affairs provided the American attitude
comedies with the French view. If,
however, the Washington Administered
ton is going to take an Independent
stand different from France, BRAND
Will lose no time in readapting his
policy to the new situation.
French Impressions Vary
Some difference of opinion exists in
French political circles as to exactly
what the American nctp means. Some
think 1t not only refers to mediation
but summons Germany this time to
produce real propositions. Others.
however. basing Their opinions on the
text of the note and other reports, are
much upset at the thorght that Presi-
dent Harding is opposed to the French
plan of inva ding Germany.
However, Just as Lloyd George and
Clemenceau succeeded in outmancuver-
ing Woodrow Wilson when his suggcs-
lions were not exactly what ;hey
wanted, so Lloyd George and BRAND
VIII attempt to dea with Harding if
they consider it necessary to prevent
any independent action by the United
States
France would prefer to play America
against England but such pclicy
must involve, as the French see it.
Americas approval of Frances con.
templated action agalns: Germany.
IN the discussions to-day, BRAND
insisted that before anything else was
gone Germany must place all the
kelchsbank gold within the occupied
territory under allied control. He is
also demanding other stlict guarantees.
Lloyd George is waiting to see what
KIND OF financial proposals the Ger
mans, will make, while sounding out
tne french on new Franco British
alliance. This policy of marking time
IN the reparations controversy suits
BRAND. too, because he is anxious. be-
fore committing himself, to make per
1ectlX sure what the exact intention of
the Washington government is,