Evening star., 1922-01-22
POINCARE'S POLICIES
WILL STRIKE FRANCE
Tendency to Nationalism Rather Than
Continental Reconstruction Means
Second-Rate Power. !,

the. common task of reviving the
continent.
Poincare has revived the bugaboo
of allied operation Of the finances OF
may be that Germany has lodged In
fashion full possibilities in payment
of reparations. England feels that it
would be mistake at the present
juncture to interfere further than
with strong demands. The Poincare
policy of insisting on the extensions
Of sanctions and further penalties. in
cluding the prolonged stay Of Rhine
land occupation armies. also runs
counter current to the British view
point that. psychologically speaking,
this would hinder the general process
herself and settling down to untin-
terrupted endeavor IN meeting obli-
cations arising out Of the war and
the treaty of Versailles.
y * X 4
Should Poincare stand firm on the
treaty Of Versailles-which now after
long delay and various decisions
reached at conferences Of allied
premiers is subject to many interpre-
tations-and insist. in view OF Ger
tions be applied. there will come a
dangerous situation not only for
France but Europe as a whole.
Undoubtedly. the British never will
consent to the imposition Of further
sanctions that involve the use Of
are copstitutionally opposed to- this.
in view Of the extremely trying eco
nomic conditions in England, and
should the French decide to move
armies forward for the occupation
of the Ruhr and the Strengthening of
Rhine bridgeheads the clash between
a hn WI
come heated at once.
France feels herself well able to
pursue an individualistic policy In
this regard, she maintaining the
largest army in Europe. but undoubt-
edly action Of this kind will bring
pressure from all quarters.
But Poincare. in his pursuit Of na-
tionalistic aims SO demanded by the
mass of people of France who have
been misguided by statesmen. meas
uring their tread from the standpoint
of political expediency. undoubtedly
would not be deferred If he thinks he
has the French people behind him.
This course would plunge Europe into
a prolonged state Of unsettlement, the
very thing that Lloyd George Is striv-
ing to end, and which might be set
tied at the conference in Genoa.
All Europe looks toward the Genoa
conference with bated breath. for
outside Of France 1t is realized that
full agreement here between allied
and enemy nations will bring speedy
recovery to Europe and rich. red
blood will flow through the impov-
erished veins Of the Industrial conti-
nent. Peoples would gain new life
and vigor.
Poincare states emphatically that
he will not enter the Genoa confer
debated: that he will only enter IN
case Russia agrees to abide by the
protocol effected at Cannes. wherein
the Russians would previously agree
to recognize the old French czarist
debts. Russia may agree. but 1t Is
generally recognized that the treaty
of Versailles is unworkable in the
present financial and economic state
of the continent, and it must be modi-
fed If Germany and Russia are 10
gain voice and part in the general
reconstruction schemes. Therefore
even though he may not nave an
ndInced his decision to refrain from
participating in the conference. he at
least paves the way for evasion OF
conference dictates and opens the
door for French withdrawal II
Frances nationalistic aims are not
achieved.
Undoubtedly. every attempt Will ne
made to swing Poincare in line with
expressed desires of rehabilitating
Europe through Genoa agreements ITS
and subsequent cooperation OF all
nations, but at the moment 1t IS eX.
ceedingly doubtful that France will
do much other than muddy the waters
of common consent. But as surely
as she does this, as surely as she
>fails to realize that her p policy .te OF no
rially: with the general advancement
of all peoples. then as surely Will
come a flood of recrimination that
will set back Frances plans Of po-
litical dominion for century. France
may be sufficient to herself from an
economic standpoint. but unless
France steps forward with other OF
the worlds leading nations in ad-
vancing the general welfare OF noan, AL,
where. in spite of. her large army. she
win become second-rate power-aii pi
Poincare's gestures to the contrary
notwithstanding.