Evening star., 1921-04-17
FRANCE is CALLING
GERMANY'S BLUFF
Teutons Uneasy as They Realize They
Face Firm Action by Allies on
May l.

I Just this. II she can obtain rewards
for German per1dy which struck at
the very life and soul Of France.
| Complications Certain.
That this French policy, however.
will lead to complications beyond end
Is unquestioned even in Paris. But
the Frenchman is adaptable and easily
handles situations as they arise and 1t
is not expected that France will be
unable in any case to care for such
questions as may arise to the direct
interest Of France.
| That France may ignore the con-
sequences of further occupation in so
far as it may retard general European
| reconstruction, is possible. but then.
as Premier BRAND has indicated.
France is most intent upon making
| Germany pay. and pay to the fullest.
for the evil she has done. And she
| should. The only question lies as to
what is the fullest, and notwithstand-
ing the pronunciamentoes Of BRAND
and other statesmen. conservatives in
official circles Of Washington and
London feel that Germany never can
pay all that the supreme council has
| asked.
Premier BRAND at the moment must
drive home his policy Of no compro-
mise with Berlin. He sustained his po-
sition after the London conference
despite strong influence brought to
bear by former President Poincare.
He Is maintaining his position today.
but 1t is stated reliably in Paris that
should he waver in. the least and
agree to change the two-hundred- -and-
twenty-six-billion- stipulation
or fail to heed Germany's failures to
meet other sections of the Versailles
treaty. the Poincare group will over
throw him and press home the most
stringent measures against Germany.
Financial Influences.
Should BRAND agree to compromise
and still retain power. 1t will De
through one great influence within
France, and that the financial pow
ers. According to some advices ousi-
ness men Of France are not much be-
ing misled by the idea that repara-
tions are the sole essential to the full
recovery of France and that further
military incursions will bring desired
ends, pointing to the failure OF the
Dusseldorf expedition to do more tnan
increase Frances military burden.
with few compensating features. 1t 1s
asserted by these fnanciers and ousi-
ness men, who have great influence
on any government existent In
France, that France can better proht
ish viewpoint Of permitting Germany
to recover economically and CONNER
cially at the earliest possible moment.
In such case France will be paid IN
full without continued enlargement.
Frances course in the future may, as
pointed out. be governed In measure
through the influence OF these ous-
ness and financial interests, but Tor
the moment. at least, 1t Is very ap-
60a a
been exerted on the DUAL dOrsay.
Germany Takes Heed.
Whatever the situation In France
now or in the immediate Iu.uae. ane IL IL
taking the firm utterances Of French
statesmen strongly to heart busl-
ness and financial interests OF Ger.
many are taking affairs In hand ana
ment to act expeditiously to avoid
further penalties for non conform:
ance to the treaty Of Versailles and
edicts OF the supreme council ine
German government Is holding con-
ferences galore. but as yet al prop
ositions looking toward Illustration
of French purpose are nebulous In
the extreme. But 1t Is expected that
the Germans may make new pro
posals involving the payment OF a
tremendously large sum n-.o,amt. OF money ~
help rebuild the devastated sections
of France. The latter proposition Is
meeting more favor In France;
though 1t Is one violently opposed
in the past, but Germany must pay
the full amount demanded by May
i. approximately 10000, 100000 gold
marks, II she expects to influence
the French attitude.
It has been proposed during the
past week that the United States
take a hand In the situation and that
President Harding initiate steps
looking toward arbitration between
Germany's expressed ability to pay
and Frances demands. but whether
or not anything will come OF such
sugeestion 10 extremely problemati-
cal. The odds arc against any action
that will stay the hand of France
by May l.
France IL In the act Of calling Ger
many's treaty-dodging bluffs. She II
succeeding.