The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-25
FRANCE AND THE TREATY


 Proposed ratification by France of the Washington naval agreement may be attrib- uted to her desire to emphasize friendly re- lations with the United States, at time when there is French belief that we are too friendly towards Germany. Such action IS desirable, if the United States is to partici- pate in the economic affairs of Europe. Frances delay in ratifying this agreement has been responsible for much of the mis- understanding that exists between the two, countries, particularly as regards the alleged militarism of France, which has been seized upon by her critics, in England and else where, to put the French government in an unfavorabe light before the world. France has been pictured as seeking to dominate Europe and has been accused of an uncom- promising attitude that might lead to an- other war.
 This impression has been unfortunate be- cause 1t has tended to obscure her just claims to compensation for the damage she suffered at Germany's hands during the World war and has created doubt of the sincerity of her motives in seeking to protect herself from future aggression. As the chief suf- ferer from the World war, who still waits to be repaid for the wanton destruction to her homes and industries and faces the danger of invasion if there is another war, the position of France entities her to sym pathetic consideration, rather than hostile criticism. And it should not be forgotten that if France has hesitated to ratify the naval treaties, the American government not only rejected the Versailles treaty, on which she depended for protection and the collection of reparations, but refused to rat ify tripartite alliance of the United States, Great Britain and France. It is not surpris- ing if the French people have thought that America was not giving them the friendly support and cooperation which they expect ed from an associate who fought shoulder to shoulder with them during the World war. This was a mistaken impression, but it has unquestionably had a marked effect on the policy of the French government, which felt that it was standing alone and must take steps to preserve the French nation, what ever the cost. Neither were the French justified in believing that because the United States regarded the reparations im- posed on Germany as too severe, we were leaning to Germany.
 The position of the United States has been, and still is, that the economic prob lems involved in reparations concern all Europe and, in fact, the whole world. The United States wants the size of the German indemnity fixed on such basis that Ger many can pay, and can be made to pay, without bringing about a collapse which would be economically disastrous to Ger many and all other nations Europe could not survive and prosper with Germany in ruins This is the practical aew or the si5- uation which must take precedence over sentiment The prejudices and passions aroused by the World war must be put aside for the common good. Germany should pay for the havoc she wrought during the war, to the limit of her capacity, but that limit must be determined and rigidly adhered to, if stability is to be restored in Europe.
 If America participates in the settlement of the reparations question it will probably be along that line. There is no lack of sym pathy for France, but there is a very decided conviction that putting Europe's house in order is task that requires concessions and compromises that will hasten Europes economic recovery and prevent war in the future. There can be no real progress toward construction otherwise.