San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-28
ARPROSPECT
BRINGS ALARM
OVER ENGLAND
See no Prospect of Peace
for Generation If France
Persists.
AMERICA ONLY H 0PE
Is Only Disinterested In
fluence Able to Save
the Situation.
nv A q GARDINER.

l.
London, Jan. al can never re-
call such a condition of dazed pcrplexi-
" in the British public as that when
has been caused by the astounding de-
yelopments in the Ruhr.
All instructed opinion is sensible OIL
the enormity Of the disaster to Euro
mean hopes. The momentary stimulus
10 the coal trade does not conceal the
fact that the invasion disposes Of any
chance of recovery for British trade.
1t also demolishes any prospect OF
peace for Europe in this generation.
The financial district is filled with
apprehension and the political world is
parslyzed. The responsible press is
unanimous in criticism of the desperate
adventure. The only exception is the
Harmsworth newspapers which are
bounding France on to any extraVa-
sance. Northcliffe's brother succeeded
by inheritance to the Harmsworth press
and be aims also 10 succeed his brother
in the rule Of opinion of the mob and
is determined 10 destroy Bonar Law
who has refused to live under news
paper dictation.
Events are too great TO permit in
cendiarism. The mob feeling is way-
ering. Organized labor is solid behind
the government and the leaders of all
political parties are united in growing
alarm and hostility over this unprece-
dented war on a disarmed nation.
Dooms Europe to War.
No one any longer doubts that
France seeks no repartions, but the
permanent disablement of Germany as
a prelude to her political dismember-
menf. The views differ only on the
possibilities of success. No one doubts
that it dooms Europe TO chronic war
and disruption for generations.
This is the beginning of seven
years war;" said a distinguished lead
er Of public opinion to an eminent
statesman yesterday.
NO" replied the stateman, "it Is
the beginning of a 30-years' war;"
A feeling Of utter helplessness pre-
walls. France holds all of the cards.
Her enemies are disarmed. Her chief
allies are disarmed. She is left the
supreme military power in Europe,
more supreme than Napoleon at his
zenith. She manipulates Poland and
at Lausanne by virtue of England
breach with France.
The inactivity of the British gov
eminent cannot continue. All sections
of serious operation are coming to the
conclusion that the continued presence
of British soldiers at Cologne and con.
tinued representation on the repara.
tons and Rhineland commissions is i'm.
possible.
The arrest by the French of a Ger
man official in British occupied terri
tory reveals an intolerable humiliation
in the present situation while the com
nissioners have become naked instru
ments of policy which England ha,
formally repudiated. Bonar Law nat
urslly is industrious Of widening tn,
breach, but the development of thu
policies of ruthlessness must force hi
hand. He is taking soundings cautious
~, but the headlong proceedings o
France dictate the next step despit
himself.
Hopes Lie In America.
In Influential circles, the single sub
ject of discussion is what can be don
to save Europe. All hopes turn ia
ward America as the one powerful dis
lnLtTtettu ltll III llb MOElu. i
is fully recognized now how immens
were the consequences of the withdraw
al of that influence in the critical year
following the armistice. England an
America, acting together, might hay
imposed reason on Europe. 1t wi
take generations of suffering and hol
ror TO redeem that failure.
Can the English-spealGng "worl
stand by while Europe commits su
cider That is the question which
taking shape in serious minds. En-
land alone is powerless TO check Il
catastrophe. She has ceased to exc
else any influence while France. col
scious Of her unchallenged militaI
power, has taken the bit in her teet
and is acting regardless Of both pc
suasion and criticism. But If the mi
iative of a new policy were taken |
America, endorsed by England, Il
combination would exert a powerf
moral suasion. 1t is true that Fran
is invulnerable TO any question of for
and no such considerations are ente
tanned in any quarter. 1t may equal
be true that she is invulnerable TO al
economic pressure for she is the mo
self-contained nation in Europe B
in the end moral judgment must halt
policy for the destruction of Europe.