Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1921-05-07
WILL FRANCE MARCH TO
BERLIN?

The outlook for peace in Europe Is
OF brigh'. The gloomy situation is
caused by the attitude of the French
Government in insisting that Germany
shall pay the full amount of repara.
tions sometimes called an indcmni.
ty by the Allies. Germany as repre-.
scented by the prerent Goverpments
declares its intention to 1.-Two up t.
the Urea Y OF Versailles rs fur as /,
IL able but at the time, 1t declared
that the terms OF the treaty were i'm
possible of fulfillment and TINT the
document was signed under durUs.
This Nhcn presents an Interesting
not to say dangerous situation. The
time for the fulfilmcnt of the terms
are at hand and the German Govern.
ment declares that it Is unable to
comply with these terms although
willing to go to the extent of its abl
ity. The schedule OF statistics bear
ing upon this subject received but
scant consideration ut the hands OF The
Allies. They had taken possession of
Gcrmanys colonial posscasion.: unu"..
the guise of mandates and they had
crippled her merchant marine and
levied an embargo or tax of ~ pee
cent upon her exports.
Now, they are demanding that she
ray in full the amount that Ter op.
poncnt in arms have decided that she
must pay. Germany liz not r,ying
this amount and France declares that
size will act as collector in this mat
tyr and will police German territory.
not stopping outside Of perua until
the amount Is paid. In the meantime,
the present Government which Is II,
dlsfavor holds on only OH account of
Its apparent ability to deal with tho
Allies. What will be The result when
this Government admittedly fails in
its purpose and the revolutionary Gle
Rcnts in that country proceed ~ TAKE
possession and to overthrow men, who
arc now In Office?
What will French troops do In
Germany under such conditions? The
maddened fury OF the mob will break
out and the brutal natures In man
will assert themselves. France will
be at war with Germany and under
the agreements new existing between
Great Britain and Italy and Japnn,
these Great Powers must come to
the aid Of France. Then Russia may.
by some secret pact go to fac aid or
Germany and the communistic ole.
nents IN that country and the result
will be another World War. not az
we'll organized as the one just CON
aluded, hat more brutal. b.oodier and
conducted regardless Of the rules OF
modern warfare.
Can France. which has suffered
most az result Of the previous con.
fltct wage another war against the
German people alone and IL she does
wage 1t. does she not risk annihila.
ton in finance and in men, whether
or not she wins or. loses the contest?
This IL what is worrying Lloyd
George, Premier of Great Britain.
He hesitates to give his approval to
what may be Regarded as suicidal
policy. Germany has already given
notice that the carrying out OF this
French programme will result in tho
withdrawal of the diplomatic repre
81 natives from London and Parip.
This results in Il diplomatic rupture.
which is n prelude to war. france
complains that Germany has not dis
armed In accordance with the terms
or the Treaty OF Versailles Is Ger.
many still armed? She may be partial
~ so. 1t is costing Great Britain over
fifty million dollars per year in try.
ing to preserve peace in Ireland and
20 keep down the people in the sou'h.
ern part Of that war ridden country.
What will 1t cost France to collie,
The reparation money from Germany.
Tie Knox peace resolution has already
passed tho United States Senate.
The United States OF Amorict il
in no alliance with France and can.
not go to her support In a contest
where she invadcs another cnuntry
ana attempts to subjugatc a pcnp,c
1t. is an open question as TO whether
the Allies would consider themselves
under any obligation 10 assist her
either unless they specifically author.
ized her 10 proceed. SelfisAnose and
personal ACKNOWLEDGEMENT constitute tho
growing menaccs OF today and tomor
row and the next day.
Ihe whole world, with the possible
exception OF France is sick of war
They have had their fill OF blood-shed
anu suffering. the seycring Of the fam