The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-17
PRESS ON LONDON CONFERENCE


 PRESS ON LONDON CONFERENCE
 Having again failed to agree on the sub ject of separations and inter-allied debts, the allied premiers have returned to their respective capitals. leaving the situation even worse than they found it. Some dis couragement is expressed by various Euro pean journals respecting ultimate settle ment of allied differences and some say that the outlook is almost hopeless. Un- doubtedly the conference missed the cleo trifying presence of Lloyd Geoorge to stim- ulate them to some sort of concert, if only for the sake of appearances. Nevertheless, Europe's darkest hours lead not to the bot tomless pit, but out finally again in the sunlight. Perhaps the very hopelessness Of the situation will spur the premiers to re- newed and successful efforts to seek solu- tion. Codly analysed, the problem does not appear incapable of being worked out. When the emotional element, jealousy and prejudice are laid aside for moment, that moment will witness the real beginning of agreement.
 In the opinion of the New York Tribune
  question of getting Germany into mood to recognize her obligations to pay was lost sight of in differences of opinion as to how Germany should pay, if she paid at all. The trouble with these allied con ferences is that they never face candidy the necessity of making Germany fulfill her treaty obligations. They wink at de- fault instead of rebuking it. !. Oc- cupation of the Ruhr is the key to treaty enforcement. If the Allies throw away that key they will have to count Germany out as a contributor to war reparations. If Germany will not pay her debts Great Britain and France must pay them. If Great Britain is willing to give Germany a release, that is her affair. But how can she think it fair to restrain France from collecting, or trying to collect, when France rebels al letting Germany go free?" Evidently Gle menceaus appeal to America has not been without its effect upon the Tribune.
 In direct contrast to the view of the Tri- bune, the St. Louis GlobeDemocrat de- clares that M. Poincare "has insisted upon futile terms and conditions, and has more consistently threatened and demanded mili- tary occupation, but has succeeded no bet ter" than his predecessors. Again con ference called to settle this matter has failed, just as every conference held since the treaty of peace was signed has failed because of Frances stubborn insistence upon the impossible" Evidently M. Gle menceau did not make his impression in St. Louis.
 As to the French attitude the Washing ton Post observes: "The fault lies with the militarists and the profiteering clements that have captured the French government Unless the French people desire the ruin of their country they should immediately throw over the marpots who are in control, and put in their place men who really desire peace and are bold and honest enough to act for the real France, the France that America delights to honor." The Post over looks the fact that the French people have no political initiative, and will receive no opportunity to vote their choice until some official or official body decides that it is time to hold another election. Besides, it is not altogether certain that the French people have the Posts willingness to for give, without payment by the Germans, the great material damage wantonly done to French property. The French people well know that if the Germans do not pay for this damage the French people will have 10 pay for it.
 As the Philadelphia Public Ledger views the situation, the real obstacle is the alleged British fear that France will eventually nex the territory she now seeks to occupy. On the other hand, if allied refusal per- sists, France may well be forced to annex the territory she now asks merely to occupy. The Ledger believes that France has been shrewdly forced to assume the defensive Of her position, although she is standing more closely by the treaty agreements than any other power.
 Several newspapers believe that the Unit ed States has a part to play in composing the difficulty. For example, the Chatta- nooga News says: "This country is the key stone in the arch of war issues Our refusal to participate and perhaps share in a cost of the settlement is similar to the attitude of France in refusing to accept loss which everybody knows to be inevitable. The steadying voice of America is greatly need ed" Since we seem to be afflicted with sort of diplomatic bronchitis, perhaps the Allies would not immediately recognize the voice as ours. The New York World also believes that it is Americas opportunity, but concludes: 'sAn artificial campaign issue in 1920 still dogs our steps and ham, pers our efforts to aid Europe to recover its sanity and its balance even after the con gress then elected has been repudiated two years later at the polls. In London, as in
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