Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-05-26
Hot Heads IN France
HE French Deputies who raised a
babel of jeers when Premier BRAND

IT HE French Deputies who raised a
babel of, jeers when Premier BRAND
spoke conciliatingly on the Silesian
issue and expressed the opinion that Ger
many now is acting in good faith, did them
selves no credit and their country no serv-
ice. Extreme and ungenerous policies at this
juncture would lose France much of the
prestige won in the war, and also much of
the advantage. This the Premier perceives
and seeks to soften the implacables, al
though he himself has ridden a highly met
tlesome foreign policy.
The Deputies we'll might have applauded
his statement that Mr.. Lloyd Georges speech
on the Slleslan situation, speech which at
first bestirred bitter comment, had proved,
upon closer and ample reading, to have
been misunderstood. Instead, there was IAN
OutburSt of deriSiOn,' the news dispatch
phrases it; and when he added that the En-
tente had weathered stormier crises than
the present one and doubtless would emerge
happily, "the Socialists started an uproar."
Those political lances of the Paris press that
are lifted for a dissolution of Anglo-French
co-working are stronger in valor than in
discretion. The larger interests of both coun-
tries and the better interests of Europe and
of the world require that these Channel
neighbors continue in friendly cooperation
But for which Of the Two would severance
be the more unfortunate? Britain still would
have most potent sea power as her shield
in an emergency; but France, standing alone,
would face perils exceedingly grave.
Nor is anything to be gained for the good
or the honor of France by the spirit which
melted Deputies to shout holly back upon
Premier Brands expressing confidence in
the present Berlin Government, ''When do
we occupy the Ruhr - when will you put
your hand to Germany's ~hroat?" This is
not the sentiment of the thinking world and
it is not the sentiment of discerning France.
That Germany should make reparation as
ample as possible for the havoc of her ruth
less armies is not gainsaid in informed neu-
trail circles, much less in Allied Europe and
in America. But at the same time it is rea-
lized that to press demands beyond reason
would destroy the hope of a new-minded,
democratic, peace-loving Germany and would
serve no interests so we'll as those of mill
taristic reaction. The dangers lurking in
such a policy would be far more menacing
to France and to the world than would mis-
takes of undue 1eniency. Republican Ger
many must be given chance both in things
and in things political, if Europes
balance is to be restored and her prosper
ity revived. None has argued more trench
antly against the unwisdom of excessive de-
mands than the economists of France, but
unhappily the voices of the element that
hooted Premier BRAND yesterday have been
loud-such voices usually are
and for the moment have drowned sober
speech
There is reason to expect, however and
certainly every reason to hope, that the
clear, keen mind of France will cut through
these beclouding Influences, will see the mo-
mentous issues in their true bearings and
proportions, and insist upon policies that
are liberal, constructive, and therefore wise.