Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-31
By A. G. GARDINER

Special DISPATCH to The Tribune
Copyright, 1922. by The Great Falls Tribune
London, Dec. 30.-The new year
opens with a spirit of mingled hope and
anxiety. What has the first week in
store? Will Baldwin's mission to
America ease the situation on one
side? Will the Paris conference ease
it on the other? Taking the latter
question first, it cannot be said that
the omen is good. 1t is obvious that
declaration by the reparations com
mission that Germany is in default
over her time deliveries creates new
danger. The matter itself is trivial,
but the decision is not trivial. 1t rep
resents a victory for which Polncare
has worked ceaselessly. He has de-
feated England on the eve Of the crit
ical Paris conference and will use his
advantage to the utmost
Poincare's capture of italian sup
port is very significant. Hitherto the
tendency of the Italians has been to
side with England on the German is
sue. Now Mussolini has changed the
current and now Poincare is assured of
a three-to-one majority, Belgium be-
ing consistently on Frances side.
With this tactical victory on hand,
what will be Poincare's procedure!
He is unlikely to endanger the CON
ference by independent action. Equally
is it unlikely that England will dis
avow the action of its own member OF
the committee. Even if Germany is
declared in default, England still will
be compelled to disagree to the policy
Of force advocated by France, espec-
iaTy anything in the nature of occupa-
ton, either military or economic, OF
the Ruhr. There can be no recovery
Of Europe on such lines. But France
never has surrendered her policy of
occupation as a means of securing the
political disintregation of Germany.
We have now reached the crucial
issue which France and England have
been lodging for four years. VIII
Peincare take the plunge on the
strength of the declaration Of the
reparations committee? He claims the
right to act alone according to the
terms of the treaty, as in the case of
the occupation of Frankfort. France
then Supposed she could stampede the
allies into consent, but failed. Now
the problem assumes a final character.
If France acts alone, contrary to the
English definition of the terms of the
treaty and contrary to the whole mo-
tive of British policy, the entente
tHnnOI SuINIft.
aware OF the gravity of the step. Ii
he entertains any doubts. the confer
ence in Paris during the next lew
DAYS will enlighten him. The PLAIN
fact ia that England and France mean
Numerically different things and no
nretense can longer conceal that TINS
IS so. We want Germany to get on
her feet in order to pay and trade.
France wants Germany permanently
disabled. No diplomatic ingenuity can
reconcile these conflicting policies.
One must yield or the crash must
come. ,~
With this menace overslladowlng
Paris all eyes turn westward. BALDWIN $
visit to Washington is important 10
rs We hope terms will be arranged
which will make the burden easier for
the British taxpayer. But this is not
the main reason why attention centers
on Washington. Despair of divertlng
French aims from the Ruhr are deep
ened by the significant action of Italy.
IF England is left alone to oppose the
French policy the prospect is hopeless
and all expectation of European re-
coyery yanishes. That is alarming
enough for Europe, but not for Europe
alone. If Europe clatters back INTO
the abyss of war, America can hardly
escape being involved. Is that catas-
trophe to put the last nail in the cot
fin of white civilization? Is the white
man to confess that all of his genius
for organization ends in failure Pc
cause he cannot organize peace with
his %neighbor? This is the issue back
of this life-and-death struggle. America
cannot be indifferent. All hopes that
the new year will bring the world out
of this bitter shame centers in Amer
lea. She helped save civilization from
ruin in the war. Can she refuse to
help save it from unalterable ruin in
this deadly peace? Reports as to the
intentions Of Washington regarding
the calling of an economic conference
raised high hopes here. May they
soon be fulfilled. Drowning men
catch at straws and Europe is drown
ing. Throw us a raft before it is
too late.