Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-02
FRANCE BACKS ]. s.
IN STAND ON HAGUE
Now Hope for softening Of Mill
taristic Attitude to Aid
European Restoration
SOVIET ARMY ONLY BoG'e
By CLINTON w. GILBERT
staN rrespondent EVENING Public Ledger

STAFF CORE espondent EVENING Public Ledger
Copy,ioht, 1921. bv Public Ledger Company
Washington. June 2.--The French
Government S decision in regard to
The Hague, announced BY. Premier
Poincare, exactly corresponds to the
American position. It was arrived at,
as set forth In these dispatches, through
discussion between Secretary Hughes
and Ambassador Jusserand.
It brings the French Government
and the United States Government into
harmony for the first time since the
yrcat war ended. It Is question now
whether this harmony will extend 10
the question Of German rcparations,
upon which France and the United
Stntes have been far apart.
One reason why Lloyd Georges re-
cent speech to the House Of Commons.
from which he was seeking a vote ef
confidence, was especially criticized here
was that IL tended to. justify France
in her militaristic policy just at tho
time when this Government hoped to
see modus vivendi worked out be-
tween France and Germany through the
bankers who are discussing n loan to
Germany by which the coming rcpara.
tions payments may be met.
Rapallo Treaty Menace
The Britisch Premier presented the
Rapalo treaty between Russia and
Germany as a military alliance which,
threatened the peace of Europe. This
is one of the pet fears of the French
and It is the greatest obstacle to any
such pacifying Of Europe as will make
disarmament and n return to economic
solidity possible. ;
The view Of this Administration is
that the Russian army is bogie. being
only half as large as Mr.. Lloyd George
made out and incapable of being used
nggressivcly outside Of Russian terrt'
tory.
France. having achieved close rc,ia
tions with the United States. is propa
bly, willing to make concessions to nam
| tain them. But Mr.. Lloyd George b!
his sncech throws difficulties in tht
path of NJ. Poincare. If the Frenci
Premier relaxes at all in his anti Ger
man attitude. the extremists like NJ
Tnrdicu will size upon Mr.. Llcyt
Georges speech as proof that the Gov
crnlncnt is sacrificing the interests o.
the republic. A.,
II is generally expected here tina
J. =. Morgan. who is discussing tn
possibility Of an international loan t.
Germany, will take the position thu
no loan can be negotiated in this coun'
trv unless the American investor Is ms
sured that Europe means to give vi
| fighting. unless the French invasion o
the Ruhr is not merely postponed. bu
permanently relegatcd to the things tina
will never happen.
May Take Hoover Attitude
| In general it is likely that the inter
national bankers. Of whom Mr.. Morgan
Is one. will take a position similar +
that which Secretary Hoover stated Il
a recent speech For n restoration
credit it will be said that Europe mus
give up militaristic designs, cut dow
its armies. balance its budgets and tn
itself more effectively than 1t yet has.
When the bankers get through. tn
whole question will pass over into til
hands of the diplomats. Then the reH
test will come as to how far Franc
will 20 along with the United States.
The chief aim Of both French al
English diplomats for many months hn
been to outmaneurer each other
their approach to the United States.
At the Washington Conference til
English won and France was isolated
Just now the French have the best Of i
One might construe Mr.. L!oy
Georges raising of the Russian mill
tary bogics as an attempt to drive
r wedge in between this country ar
| France. But the probability is thu
I the British Premier was only think
r ing Of his own domestic politics ar
: was striving to exaggerate as much ,
possible the importance Of his service
I at Genoa.