Evening star., 1921-05-29
By OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

TINE French government. under
Aristide BRAND. has awakened
to the fact that though there
be glory in forceful mea sures
for the achievement of strictly ma
tionalistic aims, that even may turn
to gall in the furtherance of such
doctrines, friends are alienated. par
ticularty at a time when friends
-stanch friends. such as bled and
died through four years of tremen-
dous struggle-are needed for the
advance.
No other Interpretation can he
placed upon events of the past week
which have indicated that though
much as the French may have desired
to carry out Brands "nape-of-the-
neck" threat against the Germans.
1t is ineNpedient to resort to further
show of arms at the moment. and
particularly in favor of Poland in
Silesia
France was moving swiftly toward
open and aggressive national action in
assistance of Poland's claims to all
of Lpper Silesia. despite plebiscite
Germany on reparations and then de-
manded that Germanic populat ions
within Silesia be not aided by Germa n
irregular troops. Thus she greatly
assisted Polish irregulars in their at
tempt to seize rich mining and indus
trial regions of Upper Silesia. Ger
many has promised that the frontiers
between Germany and Silesia would
he closed and that every effort would
sistance to the Polish opposition.
Germany apparently thereby gave
BRAND a chance to say to the cham
her of deputies that the whole
SileSan question had been cleared
and. therefore. it would be inexcus-
able for France to move in unison
with the Poles: at least. there was no
occasion for the enforcement of fur
ther penalties against Germany, such
as the occupation of the Ruhr.
Loophole for BRAND.
AS matter of fact Germany's COM
pliance was about the only loophole
left for the astute French statesmen.
utterancas. and the British foreign Of
fee. through diplomatic communica-
tions with the Quai d'Orsay during
the past week. made it plain that the
French policy of aiding and abetting
the Polish insurrectionnaires in di-
rect contradiction to the terms of the
treatv of Versailles was not approved
by England. London tacitly served
warning that if France pursued her
Sflesian policy the alliance between
the two nations was gravely in dam
ger. Though It is not known GER
tain1y. publicly at least. it is believed
that the American government like
wise has indicated its antagonism to
any settlement leading to continued
troubles. At least. directions to Am
bassador Harvey in London to sit
with the allied statesmen during the
discussion of the Si1eSian OOeSt ion
have given great announcement to
the British in their resistance to the
French attitude. Inasmuch as Amer
leans always have stood stanch
againsS Sperpetuation of strictly ma
stionalistic ambition to the disadvan-
tage of general veal. the French un-
doubtedly have had reason 10 suspect
that Cot. Harvey might lend his un-
official influence to the British theory
Of adjustment during the coming ses-
sions of the supreme council.
Sees Dangers Ahead.
Whatever the cause. the result is
plain. Forsaking 4 policy of vigor-
Gus nationalism. one even directed
against the best interests of allies aid
ing France during the war. Premier
Brand has been made to see that
pursuance of pathways leading to the
sacrifice of friendships and the tram.
pling of old alliances will be danger
Gus to France. Therefore. when he
faced a hooting. bowling chamber of
deputies he was brave enough to heed
the handwriting on the wall and an
nounce change in the French ST.
lesian policy, at least. course OF
procedure less likely to antagoniZe
the allies of France. particularly those
who can make easier realization OF
French dreams ef perpetual strength
-EnglaIAi and America.
n, no hand there ia a Dos