Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1921-06-12
BARNES FLAYS
ANC[O-FRENCH
ALLIANCE IDEA
Says Such Agreements
Lead Back to Rival
Groupings of Peoples.
Japanese Alliance Has
Been Cause of Many
Misunderstanding.
BY GEORGE N. BARNES,
Former Member British War Cabinet.
Special Cable to The Tribune,

Copyright 1921. by The Tribune.
London, June 1.-THE proposal o.
q separate treaty of alliance between
France and Great Britain is q thor.
| oughly bad one.
All sectional alliances should be
avoided and condemned.
The Anglo-Japanese agreement
should be warning 1t has been the
peg upon which mischief-makers have
fastened for the purpose intensifying
national vanities and prejudices.
This agreement may not be renewed
when the current term expires next
month. Certainly it will not be re-
newed in its old form. As to the pro-
posed Franco British alliance it will
be remembered that when the peace
treaty was drawn up in Paris in 1919
protocols were signed by which Great
Britain and the United States were to
be brought under obligation to pro-
tect France against possible future ag-
erosion by the Germans The treaty
did not materialize because of nom
ratification by the United States But
the idea is now being revived and am
pllfied in regard to its objects. 1t is
suggested that Great Britain alone
shall undertake responsibility and that
tlere snail be new alliance.
Belgium Wants In, Too.
The Belgian foreign minister chimes
in at Brussels with the suggestion that
Belgium should have place in the
agreement.
In denouncing this proposition as a
bad one, l realize that the 1919 agree
ment had its dangers but at least the
obligation was clear and it was tenn
porary. On the part of the United
States and Great Britain it was an
agreement between peoples of the same
language and the same Ideals. A new
alliance binding only one of these par
ties in pursuit of objects not clearly
defined and with peoples of different
language and ideals, would be full of
graver dangers.
1t might even lead back to rival
groupings of nations and to another
war
1t would certainly lead to division and
confusion where there should be unity
and clarity. Take the Anglo Japan
csc agreement. for example lire
sponslble persons have said it has
prejudicially affected or might preju-
ideally affect American interests.
Ihese statements are quite untrue.
VI luc CUJeCtS were ana are confined
o the maintenance Of peace and the
interests of the contracting parties in
EASTERN Asia and India and the indie |
'endence of China and the maintenance
# equal opportunities for commerce
md industry Of all nations in that
There may be difference of opinion
IS to whether or not the terms of the |
greement have been Loyalty observed !
y the allegation that it has been or
ould be inspired by hostile sentiments |
owards the United States is an ALE |
alton put forward only in ignorance
r malice.
In the discussion as to the renewal
I the Anglo-Japanese agreement It
as been remembered that Great Bri-
ain is to consult her overseas domin-
'ns and that their viewpoint in regard
0 far eastern affairs is the same as
hat of the United States. No agree
lent with Great Britain is possible
'hlch runs counter to the feeling and
ointment of the English speaking
copies Of the world. 1t Is upon this
sumption that this has been done
aat suspicion and ill-will has been en-
endered between peoples who ought
be marching abreast and forward
the interests Of peace and world
/,
The moral Of it al il plain. It is