Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-12-17

critical stage. With the recent
change in the English government,
Premier P~oincare OF France proba-
bly, looked for a more favorable at
mosphere for his schemes on the con-
%tinent, but he has suffered disillusion.
The notorious London conference,
just ended, revealed France and Eng
land in decisive ~antagonism on the CEN
trail issue of the conference. 1t is true
there was a unanimous decision to re-
iect the German proposals. But it is
equally true that England was ready
10 accept these proposals and finally
agreed to reject them only as a means
of preventing an open break. Had q
rupture occurred the Forthcoming
Brussels conference would have been
doomed in advance and France and
England would have left in undis-
guised antagonism.
Two weeks remain for Premier Poin-
care to decide whether the breach in
allied policies is openly declared.
France Fears Germany
The issue is now plainly thrashed
down to the question as to whether
Germany is to be politically and eco
nomically dethroned to help to recover
and bring back into the European sys-
TEN Poincare's policy. France is for
the destruction of Germany with the
ultimate power and will for revenge.
This fear is aggravated by the sense
that four years of merciless regula-
ton of Germany has deepened the
spirit of revenge by the Rhine.
The longer the failure TO establish
peace continues the more ~ineradlcable
that spirit becomes. Il
4 further cause of the Gallo fear
Of Germany is the tremendous fact
of the continued decline in the French
birth rate. Six German children are
being born to one French child. Hence
the French refusal to disarm. since the
arming IF Africans means the holding
of Germany in subsection. Here you
have the French determination to
complete the destruction Of Germany
AS the only means of the future of
France. This explains the failure of
the London conference and Poincare's
rejection Of the German offer: also the
demand that France take possession
of the Ruhr. 1t is universally agreed
here that no offer Germany can make
will be acceptable to France and that
Poincare's heart is set upon the Ruhr
valley as the vital essential to a lord
ship over Germany. Against this pol
lev the whole spirit and operation OF
the English people is modified. Even
Earl Grey. Frances most formidable
defender, realizes the moment has come
for plain speaking. This week, in the
house of lords, he accused France of
breaking up the bankers conference in
Paris, which was the last really hope
move toward peace. lie demands
that there shall be peace with Ger
many and the inclusion of that coun-
trv in the League of Nations as the
only means Of saving European ctvill-
zatioD.
All of this represents the growing
form Of the public. 1t is plain to every
mind that the destruction of Germany
the destruction of England. The
paralysis of English industry, with its
hosts of unemployed, is a growing
menace to the very existence of the
Furthermore, it is realized
that this paralysis is a direct result
of French policy. While that policy
continues England will continue to
protest. In the presence of this IN
d~isputable fact no English government
will dare yield to Poincare. Such a
course would be a death to their
Here Is the impossible gun
between France and England.
England knows she can live only by
restoring Germany and reversing the
whole fabric of European society.
Which is 70 prevail? If Poncare will
not yield, if France goes into the Ruhr,
the RuLr will be irretrievable.
The two countries inevitably will drift
and farther apart. To what
That may be left to the imagi-
England has reached the end
of her tether. No change in Germany
can affect our position. This nation
wants peace and a restored Europe.
1t wants trade and is sick Of endless
conferences that only reveal France
standing III the path Of peace.
England believes that reconciliation
between France and Germany is still
possible. It believes that French secur-
ity could be effected. not by arms con-
f%erences. but by giving France the
guarantees Of a real league of nations.
We are prepared to pay any price
to achieve this end. The English people
taxed themselves almost to the
limit already and are prepared to con
tinue the burden, but only on the one
condition that France will let Europe
get on its feet and live and breathe
again.