The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-05-21
ANGLO -SAXON RULE WAVES
IN EUROPE, SAYS sIMONDS

the same end. He and his friends
have steadily argued. for the inclu-
sion of the Gehman-speaking dis
tricts of Bohemia in the German
Reich and of~the transfer of Au-
stria to Germany.
AS consequence so liberal and
able a statesman as Benes has
been driven to accept the French
association much as he pleaded with
Lloyd George not to force him to
such a choice. As the Genoa con-
ference proceeded nothing was
more manifest that the fashion in
which the British drew closer to
the Germans and the Russians and
the nations OF the little entente to
France. Quite as Significant was
the fact that as the Russo British
association developed Japan also
turned to the French camp as an
other neighbor of Russia also
menaced.
: England Threatens.
Estimating the Genoa results
one must see clearly then that the
most obvious has been the crea-
ton of block of states closely
associated in a common purpose to
preserve the Paris settlement
These states together possess the
present power to dominate Europe.
The French army alone has the
power. but to the French their
present partners can bring precious
aid.
AS Lloyd George and his friends
have felt this new association
forming they have had recourse to
many threats comprehended in the
hint that Britain might be moved
to join the rival combination. The
weakness of such a move, how
ever. lies in the fact that such a
change of sides would not bring
any considerable immediate aid to
the Russo-German group and It
would instantly result in a French
invasion of Germany, provided
Germany under British advice re-
fused to comply with French con-
ditions. 8
Power Over France wanes..
In a word, and the point Is
capital, as a partner of France in
the entente. Britain has had a
profound influence in restraining
French policy. although this in
fuence has steadily declined and
is now near the vanishing point.
But II the entente were to term
mate officially then Britain would
have no power to control France
because she has no army to speak
OF and any war would terribly add
TO her almost insoluble problems
growing out of her unemployment.
france and her associates, more
over, have no temptation to per-
init Russia, Hungary or Germany
TO grow strong IL such accession
OF strength threatens them. II
could aCfo oh
remote possibility that a Germany,
forgiven much of her debt and al
lowed to reoccupy much of her lost
territory, would become good
European and lay aside all old am
billions il would be possible to
argue with France and her asso-
ciates. But no sHch argument be-
ing possible, the situation remains
patent.
Poincare Downs Lloyd George.
From the moment America re-
tired from. Europe up to that of
the Genoa conference Britain re-
manned the dominant power in
Europe and Lloyd George welded
power only rivalled by Napoleon
and Bismarck in recent times. But
as the material interests of Britain
and France more and more di-
W etu ihiNisH influence mas de-
clined. With the coming of Poin-
care It actually reached the van
ishing point for at all times France
has had the power. lying in her
army, IL France chose to use that
power, then. there was absolutely
no remedy in British hands
You'll have to appreciate. TOO, the
underlying conception In Poincare's
mind. He like most Frenchmen, has
not the smallest intention Of per-
hitting the British hegemony of
Europe to continue until Germany,
still hostile. has recovered and Rus
STA has got on her feet: He prefers
TO have a British alliance, but he
demands that such an alliance shall
be on the basis of equality and that
Britain shall be bound to march
with France.
To Force Treaty Terms.
Failing this, Poincare Is prepared
to see the Anglo-French entente
lapse and be replaced by an associ-
alton between France. Poland and
the little entente. With this as
ISOLATION. goes the certain applica-
ton of force to compel Germany to
meet her engagements. under the
Paris treaties. Probably the use of
ioiNc VIII dDOIlSn the cnanCe OF
collecting reparations. but after all
the chance is slight, IL Britain sup
ports Germany in demanding re-
vision after revision. always down
ward and II reparations are lost Sc
curity will probably be attained for
period of years.
We have had under our eyes for
| nearly three years a battle bet.soen
Britain and France for the estab-
lishment in Europe of two systems,
in one of which Britain would have
been supreme, in the other, France
would dominate. Both are as much
and as little imperialistic as one
may care to describe them. although
British Imperialism is in the nature
Of things fundamentally CONNER
cial. And slowly but surely the
British supremacy. established at
Paris with American aid. has tend
ed to break down. because in the
last analysis il was inconsistent
| with continental interests and was
founded rather upon clever states
manship than actual force.
|. At Genoa this British control
of Europe broke down absolutely.
Lloyd George. in failing to restrain
Russia and Germany from their pact
OF Rapallo, in failing to bring Rus
sia to reasonable terms not only did
not succeed in reconciling France,
Polad nand the little entente to a
pan-European arrangement but lit
orally drove them to make a COM
| mon cause. So far from Offering
these nations security. the Lloyd
George nonaggression proposal came
more and more to seem a menace
without measure.
Lloyd George Must Kali.