New Britain herald., 1922-01-14
LNi,tLIGHT ON EUROPE

IINItLiGHr ON EUROPE
 The resignation of Premier Briand and the expected advancement or Poincare to that position at the head of the French Government has given Europe and her affairs Il monopoly of the front page of the American press.
 In London they are consoling them selves by the belief that Poincare is strong in his conviction that an un- between France and Great Britain is necessary. They are voting, too, the fact that his written criticisms of Britain in the papers have lost some of their severity recently indicating probably, as here suggested yesterday that as he saw the possi- bility of the approach of greater power and authority in his own hands. his attitude grew more conservative.
 The first shock Of the news reach- ing Berlin had its effects on the value of the mark, sending it falling only 10 recover somewhat after there had been time for readjustment of thought. It was there realized that France was in no position to make direct turn about and destroy utterly the senu- ment looking toward some agreement with England--and an English French understanding would tend to make things easier for Germany in view of the greater leniency of the former toward her. Germany had pinned much hope to the Cannes con- ference, and was at first inclined 10 feel that Briand's resignation was destructive of much that she might have gained from the situation de- veloping there. Later consideration has evidently treasured her some what.
 There remains the possibility that if poincare becomes Premier and his policy of assuming the unrelentlng attitude toward Germany which has been his in the past, Germany will throw aside her policy of concillahon and become more openly nationallstlc. If is difficult to see what the Wirth government could accomplish by this move except to force France into a more antagonistic attitude toward England. caused by the resultant &C., ton of France-which would be ln- evitable were Germany to become openly iostilo-of applying force to the war debtor instead of attempting to enforce the treaty of Versailles by the peaceful means heretofore adopt ed. Germany has no reason to be elated over a possible breach between England and France She should, Ii she realizes fully what will be best for her, do all in her power to prevent such a breach. England would shud- der under the name of 'Germany friend" but her interests make her more nearly deserving of such char acterization, than might at first be imagined.
 It is very probable that the public opinion in France and especially ir the chamber of deputies would nave affected the understanding as arrang. ed by Briand and Lloyd George, mak-
 ing it more popular with the national
 ists, had Briand remained Premier
 It is likewise probable that popular Iopinion in France will tend to bring
 Poincare, if he becomes Premier
 nearer the stand of former Premie
 Briand. Thus there would have beel
 little difference between the final posi-
 tions of Briand and Poincare at thu
 time any agreement with England wa affected, although such position would
 have been approached from widel.
 separated points of view.
 Seen in this lights an agreement be
 tween England and France, with lit tie change in Germanys attitude an' : little alteration of the demands mad upon her may be expected despite tn sudden change that he come, on tn face of things, in the French politica situation.