The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-03-27

obviously is preparing itself to be per-
suaded that Lenine has become suffis
GENTLY bourgeoise to warrant recognis
ton. 1t is unquestionably true thas
mighty changes have taken place in
soviet practices, but they have been
gradual and have covered long period
of evolution
The abrupt change of heart is in the
western countries, which have tired Of
waiting for peace until bolshevism
should be overthrown. In other words,
Mohamed goes to the mountain.
REASON is REVEALED
Lloyd George reveals the real reason
for this abrupt change when he de-
cleres that socialism has become a Sc.
rtous menace in Great Britain, justify
ing the continuance of the coalition.
The need for a united front against an
outside enemy was the origin Of the
coalition, and now it Is declared there
is the same need Of a united front
against an internal enemy. England
and other western nations must make
peace abroad in order to concentrate
their strength against the menace
within.
France rapidly Is getting into thu
same position. Frenchmen daily ara
becoming more and more convinced
that the German indemnity is dc.
fusion, and when it is officially stated
in the Senate finance committee thai
without the indemnity France is banks
rupt, the only possible result is deer
and widespread apprehension. France
begins to realize she must withdraw
into her own boundaries and make
peace with Russia and in the Orient In
order to conserve her strength, first
with decisive struggle with a re-
calcitrant Germany. and next with the
socialists who are waiting to assume
the receivership in the event of failure.
WHERE is AMERICA?
Where il America in all thisy
VIII the new administration Mt
Washington take the turning point
which leads TO Cancellation. or the
one leading to continued disorder
and ultimate revolution: Europe
awaits only sign from WASH
iDgton to make n decision.
Reputable economists agree that Eu@
rope. united, is solvent. Europe
divided by war and distrust, is ruined.
Unfortunately. every move the allies
made towards coercing Germany only
STILES trade reducing Germany's pay
ing power and increasing unempioys
ment in the allied countries.
In the face of this crisis, the pos
litical situation in the principal couns
tries may be summarized thus:
SUMMARY OF SITUATION
England--Lloy George is planning
to transform the present liberal-cons
-servative coalition into a strong new
conservative party which would ats
tract to 1t all voters opposed to ex-
trems socialism. To this end he ID
attempting to eliminate foreign issues
on which British liberals are now
divided. t
France--The necessity of concentrate
ing all possible strength on collecting
the German indemnity demands the
rapid Cancellation of Russia and hasty
peace in the near east. Socialism v
not menace at the moment. Frances
chief difficulty is fiscal resulting from
the political mistake of imposing di-
rect taxes, particularly on peasant
proprietors. With only half a million
persons paying direct taxes. ii Is OBJ
vious that France is far from having
exhausted her resources. But an effort
Ito tax the peasants. IL Germany should
fail to pay, would threaten and might
cause a revolt.
RESENT COERCION
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS able to COM
tribute much toward European re-
storation, but refusing to be coerceds
German industry has billions of CAPT.
tai staked on world peace, the only
condition which will bring prosperity
and will readily pay large sums for
the privilege of trading. Coercive
measures. however. only strengthen
the sterile parties. Of reaction and
revenge.
IT the French and German reactions
aries were working hand in hand they
could not better promote each others
game than they are now doing.
1t is noteworthy fact that the
liberals of both countries are looking
to America for support. Thexea issue
Els not between France and Germany,
but between reaction and progress.