Evening star., 1922-04-02
NEW ALIGNMENTS POSSIBLE
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Lloyd George and Poincare Now in
Great Diplomatic Struggle for
Leadership in Europe.

taxes in Germany to obtain possible
grant of an allied moratorium q
least reduction of allied payments
for 1922 France is angry. and from
the French viewpoint. justihably SO:
and 1t is reported on good authority
that French divisions have been
moved closer to the Ruhr in antici-
patton of Germany's eventual faiiure
to meet reparations stipulatlons.
Britain will oppose such further occu-
patton by France. Lloyd George ,s
said to favor a cancellation of Eu-
ropean international debts In order
to bring about curtailment OF the
total reparationS payments. Eng
land realizes that Germany cannot
pay reparations as decided upon IN
the council of London. but these Lon
don terms will hold good in case
Germany refuses to meet the latest
allied demands. And France says
she must. Should the present repafa-
ttons tangle continue for another
fortnight unquestionably the whole
notwithstanding French opposition TO
such procedure. If reparations dis
cussions are permitted to enter the
deliberations at Genoa and the French
should withdraw, as they have threat
ened to do. and should the remaining
delegates strive to bring new adjust
ments. then the crisis Immediately
Will become acute
BRITISH FEAR FRENCH
MAY USE LEAGUE.
One of the things that has caused
marked feeling in recent days has
been tho apparent attempt Of French
statesmen to place enforcement OF
the Genoa provisions within the juris-
diction of the league of nations.
Likewise have the French sought
to bring the league within the de-
liberations proper. but the English
have frustrated this move, inasmuch
as Lloyd George is reported to see In
such movements French attempt to
carry out the, dictates of the confer.
ence through predominant French
influence within the league. The
French, who once fiouted and scorn-
ed the league. now hold up Its hand
in every exigency. but this is not
without reason. for Francophile in
than ever and has predominant
weight in league councils. disinter-
ested as it is supposed to be. The
British checked the attempt to bring
the league into the Genoa parley and,
| unqu uestionably to further British in
huence, will strive to prevent the
conference from leaning too much
upon the league in carrying out such
agreements as may be effected. The
British feel the French are trying to
use the league at the moment to
strike at those policies which the
British feel are essential to the fur
therance of general European recon-
struction and to perpetuate French
influence to the exclusion OF Britain.
Germany and Russia, the latter two
| now being deemed highly essential to
advancement in any direction.
From the French viewpoint such
actions as may have been taken
looking toward the extension of
French influence are thoroughly
justified, as it is impossible to fol-
low England in such steps as have
been taken and proposed by Lloyd
George for the curtailment OF repa-
rations. Likewise the French have
insisted that they must have protec-
ton against recurrence OF Germanic
incursions, and this really is the
may have taken toward the building
up of political control throughout
eastern Europe.
France is fearful of Germanic per-
fidy in the future. and as the white
hot brand has been pulled across her
body before, the French cannot dis
believe that it will be done again.
The British. it is thought in France.
ever have been ready to Sacrlf1ce
France for tho extension of British
political and economic advancement,
and it is not without reason, at least
justifiable to themselves, that such
British proposals as have been made
in regard to tn .enear east. Genoa and
Russia are examined minutely.
NEAR EAST ISSUE
NOT YET SETTLED.
The near east question has not
heen settled much as the allied min
listers may hope it is. for the Turks
still ARE dissatisfied with the settle
ments arrived at which. in short,
would preclude their domination of
the straits and would not give to
them all of Thrace. including Adrian
ople. though they do grant a new
foothold in European soil. The others
accuse the French of striving to pro-
mote Turkish opposition to the terms
in the hope of getting more.
This issue likewise may hold over
for Genoa, but unless the Turkish
issue and the reparations questions
are not settled before the parley be-
gins, then something must be done
during the period of the parley. else
economic and financial agreements
there will be futile. There can be no
advance when issues involving go
ing Germany, a restored Russia and
a menace to southeastern Europe ex-
ist. In every qquestion the French
and the British are far apart funda-
mentally, though they may profess
sympathy, and the course of events
during the next few weeks is sure
to be of great interest. Europe may
see new and far reaching alignments
before two more months have lapsed.