Evening star., 1922-05-21
FOUR HORSEMEN RIDING,
EUROPE'S CHAOS PERSISTS
Selfishness, Bigotry, Disintegration and
! Ogre of Warfare Leave But Corpse
of Good Intent.

political alliances should be summed.
and it Is argued that as long as
Britain and France remain tied
through sentimental reasons the Brit
ish cannot advance as is necessary IL
the scars of war are to be removed.
1t is but natural that Lloyd George
should attempt to appease the French.
even though the conference should
ignore the principles which doninat-
ed his efforts. The road to independent
action by England has not been closed,
notwithstanding the decisions to meet
at The Hague and the concession to
the French that separate agreements
shall not be effected with the Rus
slams previous to the time when 1t
shall be determined whether The
Hague conference is to succeed or
fail: England may rest on her oars
until! after The Hague deliberations,
but II real results looking toward the
rehabilitation of Europe's economic
welfare are not achieved. then it Is
declared certain that a new align
which England. Italy. Germany and
Russia will be the dominating, forces.
Non-AEgression Proposal
Means But Little.
During the final deliberations Of
the Genoa conference so-called nom
peoples of the world cannot and must
not be misled by it's import. 1t ap-
plies principally to Russia. In other
words. Russia agrees to abandon her
aggressive intentions toward her
neighbors and European nations
agree to abandon such intentions as
have been attributed to them in the
way OF aggression in Russia, which
1rfc
the bolshevik regime will not be
made. But this agreement yet re-
mains to be o. KID by various gov
ernments.
The non-aggression pact does not
do away with the greatest peril that
exists in Europe today, and that is
the possibility of French aggression
in the Ruhr regions of Germany in
case the Germans do not fulfill the
reparation commissions demands by
May 81 France has insisted and
probably will continue to insist that
Genoa decisions and agreements shall
not apply to the question OF fepara--
tions or the enforcement of sanctions.
In Paris it Is a known fact that
steps looking toward the enforce
ment OF sanctions against Germany
have steadily progressed and within
two hours after the failure of Ger
many to meet expressed demands in
regard TO reparations France could
have an army well within the Ruhr.
And France threatens to take this
action. Notwithstanding the fact that
it might cause a break with Britain.
With France looking forward to
accomplishing desired ends in the
Ruhr, the statement of Gen. Wey-
during the later days of the war, is
significant. He declares:
People. like governments. have a
fate that they deserve. 1t has been
said that France desires further oc-
cupation of the Ruhr district. This
steps have been considered in con-
nection vita the non-payment Of the
next repArations installment due
from Germany. two weeks from next
Wednesday,"
This in the very face of the nom
aggression pact illustrates what may
be expected from it. 1t. may save
conflicts in the east or it may not,
for there is very serious concern at
the moment as to the real extent of
the Russian and German alliance, and
what effect it might have in case the
French actually should resort to mill
tary force and wrest from Germany
her last remaining coal field of i'm
portance. The possible effects are
far-reaching. Should Germans resist
and appeal to the Russians for assist
ance. the situation Immediately would
usher in war. The non-aGgression
agreement would not be worth the
paper it Is written on.
French Would Weaken
Russ German Pact.
According to reliable authority. the
French are of the opinion that the
allies.-they alone. if necessary-must
strike to weaken the German Russian
alliance. Weakening of the indus
trial and economic power of either or
both nations until the French posi-
tion is more secure is held the proper
method of procedure and the seizure
of the Ruhr would be the best means
of striking at Germany. The French,
at Genoa, by frustrating agreements
with the soviet have hindered Rus
sian advance. so, consequently, to
achieve desired ends the Ruhr occu-
patton is the chief means.
That France will not carry out the
venture without strenuous protests
from her allies goes without ques-
tion. In fact Paris already has been
warned Of possible isolation in case
of such action. For it is declared~all
cation of Europe will end once French
troops take this step. There can be
no peace or even discussion of re-
Mobilization with more German terri
tory in. French hands. And the rest
of Europe wants peace.
With France winning in Genoa. with
France hesitant about The Hague,
but determined upon individualistic
endeavor. the future Is anything but
clear cut, in fact unless Frances
policy in regard to Germany and Rus
STA undergoes radical change It is
believed little can be accomplished
at The Hague.