Evening star., 1922-01-22

~ followed by a shower Of politi-
cal bricks in European diplo-
macy. The axiom was never
better proven than during the past
week, when in flowing tributes. one
to the other, and expressed fealty 10
old alliances bathed with the olooo
Of millions of their own men. Premiers
I.loyd George and Poincare of France
exchanged greetings. And theh
Poincare ascended to the tribune III
the chamber of deputies and pro-
ceeded to play havoc with the br'-
ish premier's plans looking to"aro
economic and financial rehaoliitation
of Europe. Not that he attacked
these openly Far from that But
the French statesman proceeded 10
outline policies of the present gov
ernment which. II persisted in, can
do no other than completely paralyze
all schemes designed to relegate nation :
alistic interes. to continental veal Mt.
I.loyd George smiled grimly in London.
Poincare's ascendency to the prime
ministership of his nation meant the
ascendency of the nationalistlc oioe
in French affairs. 1t was predicted
that he would outline policies for
his government that would at least
hazard close working arrangements
with other nations. but that he would
go to the length he did hardly was
expected. If pursued. they will lead
to constant friction with other allies
unless they go their way and France
hers.
Though many issues were touched
upon by the French premier his
statement that the French govern
mcnt would stand firm upon the col
lection Of all reparatiOnS granted TO
France under the treaty of Versailles.
and that reparations was the keynote
of French development. radically dis
agrees with the British premise
that European reconstruction and a
going Germany are essential to the
prosperity of all. The tocsin has
placed all other countries of Europe
on the defensive and looking to Eng
land to prevent the untoward events
that are certain to follow the French
policy of insistence upon strict per-
formanro of the Versailles treaty.
When the treaty of Versailles was
drafted it was believed by all. even
by the American delegation. that
Germany would be able to meet finan-
Since that date there have set in
q series of events. economic and ffnan-
cial. which. it is believed in London
and other European capitals. abso-
lute1y precludes Germany's fulfill
ment to the letter of the law.
Though there is no disposition to
allow Germany to escape finally from
the eXactionS. there nevertheless is
we'll defined opinion that If Ger
many pays. there must be recon-
structive endeavor within Germany
largely aided by the allies. and terms
must he modified to permit the Ger
man nation to at least bridge the
present very difficult period OF read
justment.
The French have always insisted
that Germany should be made to pay.
whether or no. and on the dot. but
through the instrumentality of Lloyd
George various French premiers
have been persuaded to make con-
resSions. and it is these Poincare
would avoid in the future. If the
allied governments take no definite
steps toward the mitigation of Ger
many's burden a the moment. there
can come nothing else but the COL
lapse of Germany. London believes.
At least. the plans looking toward
the reconstruction of Europe along
lines OF full cooperation between
the allies and Germany and Russia
will be severely nindered. But.
though there be hindrances placed by
France. there is a growing convic-
ton in other capitals than Paris that
the Lloyd George scheme of solidify-
ing the ed-German-Russian bloc
will proceed apace and eventually
bring about the isolation of France
unless France capitulates.
X * X
Cnquestionably the Franco-British
defensive agreement arranged by
Lloyd George and BRAND will play a
large part in the future course of
France. but even this will fail in case
POincare chooses to perfect a straight
out offensive and defensive alliance,
which is not desired by England, in
view of plans looking toward the
broadening of understandings with
other nations, and which would tend
10 solidify cooperative endeaVor in