Evening star., 1922-01-13
BRAND V|ND|CAT|0N
IS EXPECTED HERE
French Crisis Has Bearing on
U. S. Professionalism
Believed Beneficial.
ny DAyID LAWRENCE,


For the first time since the Euro
pean war. a French cabinet crisis has
a direct bearing on the policies Of
the United States government. And
while 1t may seem paradoxical to say
1t. the truth is, sympathy with the
outgoing Premier BRAND. is coupled
with an optimistic expectation that
his resignation will prove the most
beneficial thing that has happened
in the European situation in three
years.
The United States government has
refrained from expressing itself on
the subject Of European reparations,
yet 1t was watching with anxious
eyes the continuous sniping behind
the back of Premier BRAND; and II
in Europe until there was show
down between the extremists repre-
sented by Poincare. Foch and the mill
tary crowd, who want to force Ger
many to pay the exaggerated figures
called for by the reparations agree
ments thus far. and the moderates.
who believe world reconstruction
hinges upon a conciliatory policy and
a shaving down Of the repa "a lion OBJ
legations.
Eject OF Backhre. = a
The showdown i.as come at last. Few
officials here believe Premier BRAND
was in the wrong when he resigned and
laid the case before the whole world.
To have kept up negotiations waile
there always loomed up behind him the
political backfire Of his opponents was
simply to keep Europe in an unsettled
state and make the forthcoming Genoa
conference on economic affairs of
doubtful value. The general opinion in
official circles here is that eventually
BRAND will be vindicated. but that It
may take time for the new party in
power in France to come around to his
viewpoint.
The prediction is that the Poincare
party will either fail at its task and
compel BRAND to be called again. or
that the facts Of the European situa-
tion will gradually force poincare to
that proposed by BRAND. Whichever
way it turns out. the Judgment here is
that the cabinet crisis in France clears
the air and ends the period Of uncer-
talnty between tie two major groups in
French politics. who have permitted the
intricacies of their quarrel to reach
even to the Washington conference on
armament.
L. 9. in Inquisitive Need.
fortunately IOrA tne ChteO STATES
government. 1t had not accepted the
invitation to attend the economic con-
ference at Genoa. N. BRAND made 1t
clear to the French chamber that
America would come into the con-
ference. but he was simply antici-
used the phrase america has
agreed" The truth is the United
States informally indicated her inten-
ton OF joining an economic confer
ence. but. wanted to know more of the
program and scope Of the conference
AS It is now. the United States finds
itself in an even more inQuisitive
mood.
II the Poincare group means to in
sist on the letter OF the Versailles
treaty and use military force to make
Germany pay her obligations. Amer
icap participation in the Genoa meet
Ing is unthinkable. In a sense the new
Potncare ministry in France win find
alongside the government Of Great
tho United States--in examining
the practical aspect OF economic re-
It would not be surpriains * the
bringing Of America into the Genoa
bling block the Poincare arry would
encounter. The United States must be
convinced that the Genoa meeting
actually intends to relieve the eco
nomic distress Of Europe before at.
tendance will be assured. 1t is the
fundamental belief Of the officials here
must be adjusted before anything
feasible can be considered along other
economic lines.
Germany and Britain.
Another factor which Is expected to
moderate the Poincare policies and
show the new party what BRAND was
up against Is the British attitude to-
ward Germany. The growing COM
mercial friendship between Germany
Anglo French discord. Prime Minister
Lloyd George did not hesitate to show
France that II the latter insisted upon
a policy that might bankrupt Ger
many, the British would not play
along with the French, but would
many. 1t is an open secret that
American officials concur In the views
of Lloyd George and that the moral
support Of America and Great Britain
will be found on the side Of Germany
In the reparations controversies OF the
immediate future.
Premier BRAND tried to head it OF
by closer relations with Britain and
q modified policy on reparations. His
opponents called this a surrender. He
gave up the fight by resigning and
permitting his political opponents to
try their hand. When they come face
to face with all the factors-the Brit
ish leaning toward Germany and Rus
sfa, the American concurrence in the
British views on European economic
reconstruction and tho tendency Of
the largest creditor nation In the
world, the United States, to stand
aloof while France gropes for a sta
BILE policy--the universal conviction
here. Is that France will make her
viewpoint conform to that of the other
powers, and the day Of world recon-
structfon will then be hasteped.
Copyright, 1927