Evening star., 1922-12-03
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.
1T would appear singular that right
in the midst of settling one great
European problem-the relation
of Europe to Turkey-that the
premiers of allied nations should
withdraw from Lausanne and meet
to untangle the skeins of another
perplexing issue. but just this is about
to happen. Premiers Bonar Law
Poincare and Mussolini will put their
heads together in London and strive
as to Germany. For the first time in
the past two years there is good
chance of reconciling the individual
policies of the three nations most
concerned-England.F France and Italy.
There is greater unanimity in view
point as to what should and should
not be done in the general process of
the case when Lloyd George sought to
force capitulation of all ideas to his
own.
Issue Cannot Drag On.
The German reparations question
cannot be allowed to drag on. The
tenure of at least one government
that OF France, depends upon some
adjustment before the middle of jan
uary, when Germany either will have
consented to general allied stipula-
tionS or admit complete default in
reparations arrangements. Chancellor
Cuno has notified Paris that Germany
intends to abide by the arrangements
indorsed by the Wirth government
Wirth said he would heed allied die
lateS. but comparatively little show
has been made up to date. and the
allies have no reason to believe tina
the Cuno or any other German gov
ernment will be able to abide by
present arrangements through sheer
inability.
There must be revision Of repara-
tions. In the past four years the
allies have been unable to coordinate
their respective wishes and beliefs
in regard to reparations, SO divergent
have they been. But it is believed
that Bonar Law will go far i'll meet
ing the French viewpoint. If the
French, on the other hand, show any
Willingness whatever to be reason
able. Given a degree OF common
sense On the part of the French IN
regard to the amounts to be collected
and methods of collection. the Brit
ish, on the other hand, may consent
TO sanctions along the French line
III case Germany eventually fails to
meet new suggestions from the al
lies. suggestions more in line with
Germany's ability to pay.
French Have Altered Policy.
The French have altered their
policy considerably in this regard
and it is declared that instead of
clinging to the present impossible
sum total of reparations to be de-
manded OF Germany, Poincare will
stipulate q total and A1ed sum of
100000 100000 gold marks. a foreign
loan to assist Germany with her in
ternal problems and payment of repa-
rations due up to the time the new
agreement goes into effect. If France
'Ioes propose this she may hook it
10 a proposal for the cancellation OF
allied debts. particularly Frances
debt to England. InasEluch as this
would place Great Britain in the
position of underwriting d vast sec
ton OF the French war debt with no
particular gain for herself. it is be-
lieved that any such proposal will
prevent agreement between Law and
Poincare. However, the British. as
sop to the French, may consent to
back the French in any move to en-
force sanctions in case the Germans
fail to pay and may go even further
and offer a straight-out offensive and
defensive alliance to guarantee
Frances future.
Half of Battle Ended.
Whatever the possible terms, the
fact remains that the premiers have
decided that something shall be done
at the earliest possible moment to
settle the German situation. economic
and financial In coming to this de-
cision half Of the battle has been
ended. Tho terms to be applied are
relatively unimportant provided they
do two things. end for all time un-
certainty as to Germany's final bur-
ing Europe's general advance there
by.
Though denied by the French en-
bassy in Washington. it was an
nounced in Paris that the French in
tended to go ahead and enforce sane
Rhineland and the Ruhr. 1t is not
likely that the French will DO this
pending the Brussels conference, for
70 do 50 would be alternating their al
lies. II the French arc reasonable at
RrusseiA, and real adjustments in
then the Germans fail to live up to
their obligations, then sympathy un-
doubtedly will be with France. There
would be no question but that France
would enforce sanctions to collect her
obligation. These might include the
ancirclement OF the Ruhr with a
French customs Gordon and the cut
ring or of the Rhineland from Ger