Evening star., 1923-11-18

aims traditional inter-
ests in the balance OF
power?"
"One must have courage to say
destroyed. They are a people that
has known civilization and which
tomorrow may be an integral part of
European civilization"
"But we cannot sacrifice the rights
of France. We will defend them with
calmness and moderation and in the
most friendly spirit, but we will
never betray them"
In the first instance we have
speaking a famous British states
man. who reveals the underlying
motive behind Britains insistence on
preserving equilibrium in Europe in
the face of what British believe.
Frances insistence on wrecking the
continent for the upbuilding of
French domination.
In the second instance Premier
Mussolini of Italy reveals that Ital-
ian viewpoint which will influence
Italy's future courses and points to
a sharp cleavage in the political
pathways Of Quai d'Orsay and Rome.
In tho latter instance Premier
Poincare is speaking to the chamber
Of deputies and, in the face Of the
ominous clouds that now are sweep
ing over Europe, pledges renewed
fealty to principles enunciated oft
times before-principles which other
allied powers insist will lead to COM
| plete collapse Of Europe before
/ French purpose will have been real
lied. In fact, they insist that through
this policy not only Germany but
the whole continental economic and
financial system will be wrecked
Break n Question Of Time.
Events Of the past week have in
dicated more than ever that 1t is not
so much a question as to whether
there will be permanent separation
and abandonment of the entente cor
dale. but as to when this separation
Of interests actually will take place.
With statesmen Of all powers. who
for four years have been jockeying
one way and then another to per-
petuate national veal as against the
common interest Of all, firmly COM
mitted to the perpetuation of an
nounced policies in regard to Ger
many, there is little chance Of back
down unless there be surrender of
prestige, diplomatic and otherwise, in
| all sections Of the continent. And
| IL tn rSaxry Iof
very definite political trends. Aban-
donment of fixed policies at the pres
ent juncture possibly would react
against the weakening nation for CEN
tury to come.
In framing of policies at the mo-
ment the future always must be
taken into consideration. Only when
the leaders Of the various allied ma
tions think their own strength is
supreme and have adopted a philoso-
ply embracing indifference as to
what any other nation may do will
the cleavage become complete.
If It Is definitely established in the
minds of the members Of the British
government that Britain should for
sake her present alliance in order to
| obtain freedom of action in per-
petuating the balance OF power in
Europe as against Frances rapid
ascendency, then Britain will break
with France. But II Britain takes
this step. as there Is every indica-
ton that she will do, 1t must be
taken FOR granted that England is
not preparing to act entirely upon
her own initiative. without the aid
| of other nations. England's broad in
terests are too interlocked. That
England will have support in her fu-
ture courses may or may not have
been made definitely known to Pre-
mier Baldwin, but the statement Of
Premier Mussolini indicates that
England at least will find favorable
ground for sowing the seeds Of new
entente in Italy.
Opposes Disorganixation.
No one in England today holds
brief for Germany or her actions
The tremendous death and perma-
nent injury toll among the young
kmanhood of England in the late war,
not to speak of the terrible financial
and economic struggles, cannot be so
easily forgotten. But England, by
virtue Of her Industrial and f1nan-
cial system. cannot afford to see Il
PROSTATE Germany such as would
result by continued applications of
allied sanctions on one pretext or
another. The future Of England de-
pends in great measure upon a going
l hA 80
prosperity as long as there is con-
tinued disorganization. II England's
influence Is ignored in present al
liances. and 1t has been almost from
the day the treaty Of Versailles was
signed and filed away. then England
must pursue such courses as will
bring greater fruit in the general
process of restoring continental
equilibrium.
From the very start 1t has been
impossible to reconcile French logic,
particularly that expressed by the
moro militant figures Of France and
the British desire for practical
courses. Germany was quick to re-
alize that between England and
France there always was a chance
of driving a wedge If time were per-
mitted to pass without German capt.
ulation to the treaty and when, in
enforcement of provided sanctions,
the French and the English would be
forced to cooperate. Germany per-
haps knew Of the heated Emergencies
of opinion in the conduct of the al
lies military campaign during the
war, and the smoldering feeling that