The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-20

 ENTENTE MEANS
 EUROPEAN CHAOS
English and French Aims Run Counter With Dire Results Predicted Unless They
 Stick Together
By 4. c. GARDINER

By A. G. GARDINER
 Great Britain's Greatest Liberal Editor Special Gable Dispatch to The Age-Hernld
 Copyright, 1922. by The Age-Heraid)
 London, August 19.--Where is Flu rope drifting? With the breaking up of the London conference and the conflicting policies of France and Britain declared. the entente has be- come a shadow. Ever since peace was signed, the strain of British French relations imposed by the dia- metrically opposite aims of the two countries has foreshadowed a rup- ture.
 Englands sole interest Is the estab- lishment of peace conditions and a restoration of trade. This is neces- sary to the existence of a country which lives by external commerce. Engand has no interest in the eco homie or political destruction of Ger many. The objects of the war were accomplished and every interest has pointed to- the necessity of re-estab lishment of economic relations with the reformed Germany.
 This has been England's idea throughout in her conflict with the French aims of extraction of impos- sible indemnities and the political dis memberment of Germany. Both these aims are mutually destructive, and 1t has never been quite clear which France desired more. Was it money or was 1t disruption of Germany? Poineare's proposal pointed to the lat ter All the international experts were agreed that the scheme as to the Financial Poll to the expedient of dismembering Germany and destroying her economic life, the Poincare scheme would he effective. It is inconceivable that he supposed England would indorse this sentence of death on Germany.
 Whats Poincare's Motivef
 The question is. what motive re- mains? Has Poincare come to the conclusion that France can afford 70 dissolve the entente and rely upon independent action? Or is he gam bling on the reluctance of England to suffer a breach with France in order to secure an approximation of his poll icy? The former consideration is sustained by the enormous military predominance France has now estab- lished over Europe. Now that pre- dominance is sinister shadow in the background of the discussion. Eng land has until recently deliberately shut her eyes to that shadow but 1t Is now no longer possible to ignore It. The recent panic caused by knowl- edge of England's inferiority in the air Is the first indication of alarms that are deep if unspoken.
 It remains to be seen whether France. confident of the strength of her military position, will proceed alone on policy that has been con- demned on economic grounds by the opinion of all Europe. It is impos- sible to answer this now. The inci- dents of Poincare's departure from London created disquieting impress sion. His attitude was one of call culated coldness and his interview in the Paris press upon his return there did not relieve the situation. His refusal to submit the matter to the League of, Nations or a reparations commission closes the door to a com promise. and Poincares significant reference to Englands proposal of the admission of Germany to the league indicates another source Of irritation
 One view that is held Is that Poin- care is relying upon English sympa- thy for France being too powerful to permit break if France holds out That course has prevailed always In the past. Oipion today is chang ing. and the death of Lord Northcllffe has removed the most powerful ad- vocate of the French policy from English public life There is no ele- ment of English opinion that wants a break. but if the price of continu- ance of sympathetic relation is sur render of the hope for a peaceful re- construction of Europe. then break Is certain.
 Germany Fenrr Rrenk
 Germany fears a break. Germany realizes that disappearance of Eng lands restraining influence upon French action would confront her with desperate possibilities. This in- tense fear is reflected in the further collapse of the mark.
 Should France decide to put through the Poincare proposal of force alone. the gravest situation arises. A mere negative attitude by England Is im- possible. England occupies territory on the Rhine and would be confront ed with the problems arising out of establishment of the proposed cus- toms line through that territory What would be her attitude? Would she consent to administer customs and so stultify herself? Will she con- sent to French officials entering this territory to carry out policy she 'condermns7 This Is only a typical ex- ample of the difficulties that would emerge.
 Once France is started on separate action. it Is clear the entente is doomed It is idle to speculate as to the consequences of 30 tremendous a fact but 1t can hardly fail to spell final disintegration of European civ ilization. It is the hope that France may vet SC the peril of isolating herself from the public opinion of the world.