Evening star., 1922-04-02
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

y ErARAT1oNs. Genoa and the
- near east have been the pre-
IN dominating questions con-
fronting European statesmen
during the past fortnight. and these
issues, by virtue of developments.
have become SO intertwined as to
threaten new alignments in general
European political as well as eco
nomic reconstruction.
Tensions have been heightened in
spite Of the apparent working agree
ments effected between Lloyd George
and Poincare at Boulogne. Today
finds Great Britain and France again
on the eve Of great struggle LOT
supremacy in political as well as eco
nomic councils of the old world.
ENGLAND AND FRANCE
STRIVE FOR MASTERY.
First Of all, in consideration of fu-
ture Developments, one premise must
be recognized. That is, France and
England today, by virtue of Poincare's
stiffening of French eXpansionist
policy, are striving for mastery and
dictation in the general affairs of the
continent. Lloyd George heretofore
has been looked upon as the domi-
mating figure. and as 4 consequence
the one political Moses of war-torn
nations and peoples. Frances states
manship since Clemenceau has suf-
fered eclipse. Whatever Poincare may
have done in furtheraEce of Franco
phile doctrines. it nevertheless re-
mains fact that French interests
already have been advanced through
his instrumentality- There is every
reason to believe that the French
plan OF dominating the continent po-
htically- 1t is even stated that their
Turkish policy. which was largely
formulated during conferences of
Franklin n-Bouillon in Ansora, has
tended to bring the French in closer
touch with the soviet.
1t is hoped to Illustrate either British
or German domination in future COM
mercial and economic enterprises, in
Russia at least, prevent the British
and the Germans from obtaining
such advantageous concessions as to
practically preclude France from
profitipg in the future.
RIGHT ABOUT FACE
IN SITUATION.
If these statements be true, Poin-
about face in the policies of the Quai
d'Orsay, for heretofore the French
have expressed unalterable opposi-
tion to any move tending toward the
recognition of the Moscow regime
without first of all obtaining ade-
quate guarantees that the French
czarist loans be repaid. If it is a
fact that the French. assured of the
nf
motion political moves to ameliorate
antipathies existent in Moscow
against the French, then a real con-
test for future domination in Russia
England and Germany will remain
intense.
The British. however. have been in
much more advantageous position.
having leaned toward soviet recog-
milton for nearly two years. But
greatest concessions possible. Mos
COW. it is believed, would not be
loath in wooing French favor and
enlistins French sympathies in the
deliberations at Genoa.
In any consideration of the Rus
sian question at Genoa it may be
expected close race will be run be-
tween the allied diplomats in bring
Ing their own ard Russian interna-
tional, financial and economic theories
III line OIL
LLOYD GEORGE LEANS
TOWARD RUSSIA. y
Premier Lloyd George. it is de-
clared, is firmly Of the view that an
advancing Europe needs an advanc-
ing Russia, and 1t is clear he will so
far in furthering the particular in
yerests of the British. The Italians,
who will hold the whip hand over
the Genoa conference, by admitting
extraneouS matter into the agenda
probably may not be adverse to TAX
ing up the whole Russian question in
It's political as well as economic
aspects. and thereby making agree
ments so necessary to general ad-
vance more likely. If the British and
Italians stand together on the Rus
sian issue and bring about agree
ments. the French. even though they
were disinciined. would be forced
largely to coincide if French purpose
is carried out. On the other, hand, the
purported opposition to the soviet
may be a diplomatic smoke screen
to hide already advanced negotiations
looking toward close cooperation be-
tween Russia apd France in the fu-
ture. Without French cooperative
action unquestionably England and
Germany will line up with Russia
PREPARATIONS ISSUE
MUST BE SETTLED.
Germany has refused to heed the
allied demands regarding the imposi-
tion of tremendously heavy internal