The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-01-15

HARbFh defensive alliance
 among the powers which would offer France her de- sired security. because such an al lance might end the useless Rhine occupation which eats up enormous sums that might otherwise go te separations purposes and feeds the hatred of the French and German peoples.
 Lloyd George Dominant
 Out of the latest muddle in Euro pean affairs, Lloyd George arises, as usual, the dominant figure. His sixth sense attributed to him by the English writer. Keynes. was func. tionir,y when he used the Franco Belgian dispute to bring about the Cannes conference before the Wash ington conference had concluded it's work.
 France had hoped to go to Riveria equipped in an armor which would have frightened England into mak- ing concessions. Her shield was tc have been the Angora treaty with the Kemalist Turks. Her great sword was to have been an unlimited sub marine fleet.
 The Honorable Mir, Balfour was right when he declared these sub marines were to be directed against England. Persons. whose memories do not go back of Edward VII forget that for centuries there has been continual warning squabbling be- tween the Anglo-Saxons and the Gal lie Celts This enmity ceaselessly flourished until the grave military menace of Prussianized Germany Is 4,,ta alliance which came Into full fruit and being in the war which crushed the German military masters.
 But no one who has studied the France of last year need be tolo how high the weeds of distrust and suspicion of Great Britain have grown. In her entirely compre- hensible distress over her devastated regions. France has forgotten that England, too, suffered in the war suffered in blood and treasure, and ir the loss of her important export trade France has imagined herself neg lected and half-betrayed by "perfidi- ous Albion" against whom she needed an effective weapon.
 England's Greatest Danger
 The last war proved that England greatest danger was unrestricted submarine warfare. France rightly figured that she could carry on tais warfare much easier and with much greater success than Germany achieved. The channel would be no protection to England. Long range guns at Calais, at Havre and Cher bourg could sink destroyers and even wreck English towns. German sub- marines took four or, five days in going to and returning from tho scene of hostilities. But if is only 22 miles from Calais to Dover and a from Cherbourg to Portsmouth
 French submarine warfare could threaten England's life and the Parisians thought Lloyd George would make a treaty guaranteeine the security of France against Ger man aggression rather than run the risk of possible hostilitles with France.
 These hopes were destroyed how ever, like young leaves lin a hal storm, when tffe Washington confer ence adopted the Root resolutions governing the use of the submarine Henceforth undersea warfare against merchant ships is forbidden. Thu the sword of France. destined for the Riveria fright. was broken. whil, the shield was rendered useless wher the Russian protectors of the Rem alist government in Angora were in vited to the Genoa conference.
 So much for France, but how abou England?
 In closer communion than ever witt her dominions. free of the burden o the Japanese treaty. with peace il Ireland despite Mir. DeValera; free o the submarine danger; with tn Washington four-power pact in he pocket and ready for similar agree ment in Europe; acting as part tame and introducer of the bolshevists- l thus splendidly equipped and arrayed England went to Cannes.
 1t was a master piece of stag mana cement. It was doubly effectiv. because of the French confusion fo! lowing the mistake at Washingtoi of trying to play one English speak. ing nation off against the other.
 And now what is to come of 1t all with the Briand ministry broken ant Lloyd George back in his homeland What is France to do without the support of England?
 One thing stands clear. The Wash ington conference is having it's eff feet in Europe The smaN spark oi reason which shone in the brains 9, the decisions at Washington over which humanity and not merely one nation or one continent. must rejoice. manifest in your letter to your old commander. If my good 1Tishee ad -