San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-08-19
Baldwin's Note Shock TO
France But Also to
English.
MUST ACT QUICKLY
All Classes Seriously Dis
cussing Possibility
of War.
RY 4 G. GARDNER.

BY a. ". UEthDl-NEIss
Copyright, by The San Antonio Light
London. Aug. 1S.-The cold sever
ity of the British note produced a
tremendous shock in France, where
evidently it was supposed that our
government was tucked securely under
Premier Poincare's arm, because II
was too timid to venture an open
. break. The shock was almost as hard
as the die hard forces in England
Their policy, Historically abetted by
the Harmsworth newspapers, has come
to be known contemptuously as hat
off TO France" That is to say they
desire Great Britain with blind deyo-
ton in memory of the comradeship OF
war, to follow wherever France may
lead. Over the precipice even If Poln-
care issued the word of command. This
policy has the merit of extreme sim
plicity, but is an overwhelming men
ace to world peace.
The only thing that gives the die
hards pause is the question OF the
French debts. They do not wish and
dare not propose cancellation. Their
position undoubtedly is embarrassing
TO the prime minister. The Morning
Post, the die-hards' chief organ, comes
out emphatically against the British
note and there are other manifest
signs of a new die-hard intrigue 70
coerce or overthrow Prime Minister
Baldwin. Even the die-hards, how
ever, would shrink from dethroning
Baldwin in order to elevate Lord
Birkenhead who is making a bold at
tempt to ingratiate himself with the
former power on the Anglo-French is
sue. They would contemplate the
greater horror, the possible return OF
Lloyd-George, another member of the
Birkenhead group.
Baldwin Must Be Firm.
Everything depends on Baldwin's
firmness and the continued solidarity
of his cabinet. 1t is clearly recognized
that if the government now fails 10
act upon the strong intimations of the
note, British prestige is utterly shat
tered and the hope of restoring Eu-
rope is diminished to the vanishing
point.
The next step probably will be for
Baldwin to invite the powers to send
conference to inquire into Germany s
capacity to pay. If the opposition IN
the conservative party grows, Baldwin
conceiyedly will call n special meet
ing of Parliament, or he might, as
defiant gesture, appeal to the country
in a general election. That would cause
a curious complex in the situation,
possibility of the liberal and labor
parties pledging support TO the pol
icy Of clearly defined active opposi-
ton to French methods in Europe.
1t is undoubtedly true that public
opinion here at last is fully aroused.
Since the reparations issue first dis
turbed Europe, l have never known
such a serious, deep and widespread
discussion in the British press. This
seriousness is reflected as never before
in the ordinary conversation among
all classes, Today the writer heard
large group of unemployed dock work
ers debating with violent expletives
not the latest race course news, nor
the poor prospects for winter en-
ployment, but French action in the
Ruhr and the prospect Of renewed
conflict in Europe.
Alarmed Over Events.
Business men are thoroughly
alarmed over the turn of events in
Germany. They regard further discus
sion with France as a probable waste
of time. The time factor may indeed
render Baldwin's proposals obsolete.
IL the German political and economic
machine fails to function and Ger
many falls into revolutionary chaos,
what is the use, they ask, of inquir-
ing into Germany's capacity to pay.
The problem is growing to an ap-
palling magnitude. The motto must be
act quickly.