The New York herald., 1922-01-13
BRITAIN DISMAYED
| AT FRENCH CRISIS
Blocks Entire Foreign Policy
and Delays Early European
Adjustment.
COUNTRY BEHINDPREMIER
Believed in Lloyd Georges
Policy as Against Militar-
ism of France.
COUNTRY BEHINDPREMIEE

Special Cable to 'rirE Nyw YORK HEasLp.
! Copyright. 1922. by THE NEw YosK HnALp
New York HernId Bureau.
London. Jan. 12.
The British Foreign Office Views the
French political crisis with the utmost
disn,ay and also with some semblance
Of alarm because it not only destroys
all that has been accomplished by the
series of hectic conferences, but blocks
the entire British foreign policy and
skaters the hopes of an early adjust
ment Of European economics and the
consequent return to normalcy.
Officials tonight did not hesitate to
express despair. They feel that the
only solution lies in the dissolution Of
the French Chamber. which is called
"chauvinistic." They fear that as long
as the n1ilitarists hold the balance of
power they can again unseat any Min
lister and undo any work looking to a
joint policy. therefore making British
attempts practically futile.
With NJ. BRANDS fall Premier Lloyd
George stands on firmer ground than
ever on his reconstruction policy, and
while he Is forced 20 be idle at Cannes
he has the nation strongly behind him.
The best friends France hal here well
coined the Lloyd George pact and said
that French friendship was worth it,.
hut 1t was particularly pra'sed because
il promised TO remove the submarine
threat.
Now that this has been turned down
officials believe II is showdown as to
whether the Lloyd George pidn for the
reconstruction OF Europe or .he French
nationalist policy shall prevail. The
crisis had been gathering force for 4
long time and II Is now recognized here
hat all British efforts to prevent It
nave failed. There is no disposition in
England TO depart from the Lloyd
George policy. for tho country is unani-
. nous in its belief that II is the only
solution for the European cnaos.
An official OF the Foreign Office told
'lHE NEW YORK HERALD correspondent
that the Prime Minister generously
vent the limit In tho pact when he guar
snteed security to the French He says
that the aims OF the two nations con
fiicted simply because France wants to
strengthen her military ring. while every
SFnunncnt IN Engiand Is tor 1tmilltIri-
cation. The outcome of this deadlock
Is anxiously awaited.
Those inclined TO criticize the Prime
Minister think that Arthur Balfour over
emphasized the submarine peril at the
Washington conference because he
argued that France never could afford
70 build submarines even IL she persisted
In her policy. IT is generally agreed
here that the submarines brought the
CRISIS to head. but II is believed that
Franco Is using the submarine as a club
TO get better terms In the pact. One
official characterized Il as a bluff, which
now would be called.
Speculation ss 10 NJ. Brands sue
ccssor is most lively tonight. or the
field Raymond Poincare Is favored be-
cause IL is pointed out that he has
definite policy 10 face the gale and docs
not vaver with every cross wind he
meets. II Is also believed that NJ. Poin-
cares sincere wish Is 20 keep British
friendship. and his outspokenness in this
respect since his visit here last fall has
been source of comfort 10 Official cir.
cles. fIc would probably be more diff
cult 20 deal With IN the rcpsrations aucs-
uon, but he Is regarded as a strong man
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