Evening star., 1922-12-31
EYES Of EUROPE
TURN TO AMERICA
Crisis in Relations of England
and France Seems at Hand
Over Reparations.
ENTENTE IN BALANCE
Hopes for New Year Center in U. S.
Taking Lead to Save Civiliza-
tion From Ruin.
ENTENTE IN BALANCE
BIZ A. G. GARDINER,
EnGland's Leading Liberal Editor

En&land's Leading Liberal Editor.
By Cable to The Star. Copyright, 1922
LONDON. December 30.-The New
hope and anxiety. What has the first
week in store? Will Baldwin's mis-
sion to America ease the situation on
one side: Will the Paris conference
ease it on the other?
Taking the latter question first it
cannot be said that the omens are
good. 1t is obvious that the declara-
tion by the reparations commission
that Germany is in default over her
timber deliveries creates new
danger. The matter itself is trivial.
but the decision is not trivial. 1t
represents a victory for which Pcin-
care has worked ceaselessly. He has
defeated England on the eve of the
critical Paris conference and will use
his advantage to the utmost.
stand Three to One.
Poincare's capture of Italian sup
port is very significant. Hitherto the
tendency of the Italians has been TO
side with England on the German
issue. Now MusSolini has changed
the current and now Poincare is as
sured of three-to-one ma ajority. Bel
Rium being consistently on Frances
side.
With this tactical victory on hand
what will be Poincare's procedure: :
He is unlikely to anticipate the con-
ference by Independent action. Equal
ly 1t is unlikely that England will
disavow the action of its own mem
Der of the commission. Even IL Ger
many is declared in default England
to the policy Of force advocated by
France. especially anything in the
nature OF occupation. either military
or economic, of the Ruhr. There can
be no recovery of Europe on such
lines. But France never has sur
a means of securing the political dis
intesration of Germany.
Crucial Issue Reached.
issue which France and England have
been lodging for four years. Will
Poincare take the plunge on the
strength OF the declaration of the
reparations commission. He claims
the right to act alone according TO
the terms of the treaty. as in the case
of the occupation OF Frankfort.
France then hoped to stampede the
allies into consent, but failed. Now
the problem assumes a final charac-
ter. II France acts alone. contrary to
the English definition of the text of
the treaty and contrary to the whole
motive of British policy. the entente
cannot survive.
Poincare is fully aware of the
gravity Of the step. If he enterta ins
any doubts the conference in Paris
tighten him. The plain fact is that
England and France mean diamet-
rically different things and no pre-
tences any longer conceal that this is
so. We want Germany to get on her
feet in order to pay and trade.
disabled. No diplomatic ingenuity
can reconcile these conflicting pol
icies. One must yield or the crash
must come.
All Eyes Turn to U. S.
With this menace overshadowing
Paris all eyes turn westward. Bald
wins visit to Washington is impor-
tant to us. We hope terms will be
arranged which will make the burden
easier for the British taxpayer. But
this Is not the main reason why at
tention centers on Washington. De-
spair of diverting French aims from
the Ruhr are deepened by the sig
nluCant dCtlOu OF ItAlS. IL CuSlduu
is left alone to oppose the French
policy the prospect Is hopeless and
all expectation Of European recovery
vanishes. That is alarming enough
for Europe. but not for Europe alone.
II Europe clatters back into the abyss
OF war America can hardly escape
being involved. Is that catastrophe
to put the last nail in the CONN Of
white civilization? Is the white man
to confess that all of his genius for
organization ends in failure because
he cannot organize peace with his
neighbors?
That is the issue that is back of
this life-and-death struggle. Amer
fca cannot be Indifferent All hopes
that the Now Year will bring the
world out Of this bitter shame center
in America. She helped save civi1iza-
ton from ruin in the war. Can she
refuse to help save 1t from unutter-
able ruin in this deadly peace? Re-
ports. As to the intentions of Wash
ington regarding the calling Of an
economic conference raised high
hopes here. May they soon be full
filled. Drowning men catch at straws
and Europe 10 drowning. Throw us
q raft before 1t is too late.