The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-08-27
CONTINENTAL BLOC
 IDEA R|D|CULED
A Peaceful, Strong Policy by France Will Later Result in
 British Alliance
Bs ANDRE TARDIEU
 geRmex Frsnch nigh Commissioner ps United States al C0h tn Ina

epNCIhk CNnle To The AEC-AlCtnAG
 Copyright, 1893. by Tho Ago-HeraAd)
 Paris, August 26.--One reading the newspapers might think France was mad over the question of a direct agreement with Germany which 1t Is pretended will solve the reparatlons problems. Rest assured there is nothing in 1t. Some of 1t is literature and there is also an attempt to re- vive a condemned policy.
 The end of the London conference was a new proof that our relations with England are exactly our rela- tions with Lloyd George. The unsat- isfactory results were sufficient to initiate among people who wrlts without thinking the thought:
 There Is no progress in talking with Great Britain. Let's talk with Germany direct"
 The possibility of such talk de- veloped when Hugo Stinnes, In the German press took the attitude of a man imposing conditions. l dare not affirm this sufficiently to make the impulsive people who write re- fleet, but serious people will under stand.
 Besides the impulsives the follow ins of Joseph Gaillaux, whose strength Is inconsiderable, are active in advocating German alliance. They tried this before during the war when they advocated a peace with victory. This caused CaillauN condemnation and the suspension of his civil rights. The group also an nonuces the coming trip to Russia ot M. Herriot. official leader of the party which Callaux really leads. They desire to substitute Moscow Berlin policy for that which has &C., tuated France since 1909.
 The French masses are too wise to follow this path. Despite last years mistakes, partly the fault of the Paris governments unpardonabla weakness and Lloyd Georges meglo- mania. we preserve tender memories of the English brotherhood of arms and recall also that until 1919 France and Great Britain were al- lies without sacrificing the dignity of their respective interests. No ben efits are possible from the suggested Caillaux policy.
 Germany Must Pay
 Germany must pay France. She must extract the money from her pocket. Germany resists obstinately. Economic agreements between French and German industries are impossible.
 Behind 1t all however, Is the effort to create solidarity of special in terests which later would serve against Frances Versailles claims Therein lies trick not to pay rather than an effort to meet honest obliga- tions. IL is wise to take warning
 Moreover, what could bo Frances political relations with Germany on basis of this understanding wherctp the object prudently is concealed? q would be futile from a reparations standpoint while the political view point must be obvious as preparing to return to continental bloc sys- tenn. Such bloc, with Germany in the center, having in 20 years' time, 39. 000,0o0 inhabitants more than France, would be equivalent to Ger man supremacy in Europe, resulting sooner or later in war against Eng land. Wise Frenchmen cannot accept any such hypothesis
 Instead there will be devised A peaceful and energetic F . ich policy which will be respected uy England and which can compel Germany to pay her debts. It will aim at a Franco-British alliance and, while cannot say 1t Is near. I can say that sooner or later 1t will arrive.