The Washington herald., 1922-08-06
Britain Impatient Of French
Fears, Declares Philip Gibbs
Lloyd George Faces Problem of Being Gener
GUS Both to France and Germany With Eng
lish Taxpayers Bearing Heavy Burden.

cluding the destruction OF the Ger
man fleet. the possession of her
mercantile marine. and the captured
colonies. They do not believe what
Is really the greater truth. that
as time has gone by Lloyd George
has seen the dangers to Europe
as a whole involved in the down
tali OF Germany. Lloyd George never
thinks of yesterday but always Of day
after tomorrow, sometimes in rare
moments OF Saturday fortnight. That
is the secret of his genius.
Passion Below Surface.
Now in France at the present
moment below the surface of political
tranquility there are seething pas
sions and anxieties. Having at last
realized that literal fulfilment of the
treaty Is impossible. and the fact that
the German money on which they
reckoned for their own immediate
financial necessities In suuarIng the
budget 10 not forthcoming. France Ia
anxiously considering the future and
her people are not united in their con-
victions as to the lest policy to be
pursued. They are determined not to
sacrifice from victory two essential
items. compared with which all other
things are trivial &
The first is security from future
invasion, the second Is repayment for
the devastated districts. I think they
are perfectly right In holding to those
essential needs at al costs. But
they are not all of one mind upon
the method by which those can be
secured. There is a secret and Sc
cere clash between two schools of
thought. One school, including all
in high military command. the
French aristocracy and a consider
able body of public opinion, be-
lieves that security can only be
obtained by using the financial de-
fault of Germany as a legitimate
reason for increasing the hold on
the Rhine. and for obtaining
stronger control of German customs.
They are prepared to admit that such
action would not result in full pay
ment of indenmities, but regard the
safety OF Franco of. first Importance
and believe they could squeeze enough
tc pay for the devastated districts.
EXTREMISTS of this school Of thought
are prepared to act with or without
British agreement. ...7
Dead Against Any Policy.
On the other hand. there is a
very large and growing body of
opinion in France not only against
further military action in Germany
but also dead against any policy.
which is their one mainstay against
future German aggression, for they
are prepared to sacrifice some of
their interests provided England
reciprocates generously not only by
cancellation of French debts, but
by a definite pledge of aid in the
event of future war with Germany.
Socialist and Pacifst sentiment in
France. which is not negligible, be-
lieve It possible to repudiate all
debts, withdraw troops and de-
mobilize military strength on a
basis of economic agreement be-
tween the working classes OF
France an0 Germany. That is my
opinion, Is an illusion, owing to cap
italistic forces on both sides and
the intense hatred of France in
Germany. 1t might be possible II
human nature in both Countries
made clear leap forward out Of
the old quagmire Of hatreds, but
there Is no sign of that and 1t must
be left out of reckoning - t.s
There are things happening Ger
many which cannot be left ont. and
France and England are both aware
of them and know their decisions
are to some extent dependent on
their results. Intelligent statesmen
ask themselves this plain question:
What Is the good of releasing our
stranglehold on Germany and
making a moderate compact with
the present German government
and its republican mfnisters when,
next week or next year. that repub-
lie may be overthrown by the forces.
of revolution or reaction, either OF
which will repudiate,, the new
pledges? Recent events IN Bavaria
-ohallenge the power and authority
of the central German government.
1t is plain monarchist threat. Yet
1t reveals, also. Unexpectedly strong
republican sentiment in Prussia II
the gauntlet is flung BY Bavaria
there will be civil war in Germany
of whichs no mortal man can fore.
tell the result. except the further,
impossibility of payment to France.
German secret Forces.
1t Is, think. certain apart from
a great deal of nonsense written in
sensational papers that there are
secret forces and movements in
Germany today preparing for the
owe throw of the republic andNlI
. =. .~.-rIxr