Evening star., 1923-01-05
What Next in Europe Z?

The attitude of the world with re-
spect to the European situation might
he described as that Of hoping for
break between France and Great Brit
ain on the question of reparations has
been expected and dreaded as a catas.
trophe Of the first magnitude. But it
often happens that anticipation is
much worse than realization, and now
that the break has come. definitely
and seemingly irrevocably, things may
not go so utterly to smash as has
been predicted.
Much will depend upon the good
sense and moderation displayed by
France in her new-found freedom of
action. a significant feature, and per-
haps restraining one, is that France
Is not confronted by that moral isola-
tion which had been assumed would
accompany u program of independent
action. Belgium probably will go along
with her in any course decided upon.
Whatever may eventually be the
Italian position toward armed seizures
in Germany. as between Great Brit
ain and France, the moral weight of
Italy, for the present at least, is with
the latter. Great Britain. in fact, is
in measure a victim of that moral
isolation with which she had threat
ened France.
AS between the former allies in Eu-
rope, American opinion, at least pend
ing some overt act, can afford to be
neutral. Putting aside the question of
armed force against Germany, Amer
leans do not find any reason to be
partisan as between the specific repa-
Sations plans advanced by Poincare
and Bonar Law. The British plan is
so involved and complex that it is diff
cult TO figure just how it would work
out, but the one thing which appears
conspicuously plain is that British in
terests have been well looked after.
The French plan, aside from the guar
antees, does not appear strikingly
more harsh. Both plans mix repara-
lions up with interallied debts in @ way
hat Americans believe to be both un-
IdlE anu unWOTkdDle
As Indicated by Secretary Hughes
speech at New Haven and in other Of
fcial utterances. this government is
utterly opposed to the theory of COL
lecting debts at the point of the sword,
and believes that much harm and no
good could come from the forcible
seizure OF additional German territory
But IL she will refrain from military
pressure, no good reason is seen here
why France should not try in her own
way to collect reparations. No such
success has attended joint effort as to
condemn individual effort in advance
There remains a week until Janu-
ary is, the date upon which expected
German default will end the present
reparations status. In that time it is
to be hoped that wise counsel will pre-
vail at Paris, and that when the day
Of action comes reasonableness and
sanity will control the policy of
France. Poincare has before him a
great opportunity, not only to make
secure his own fame as a statesman.
hut to restore in the world now shaken
confidence in the good intentions of
his government. So far as the United
States is concerned. France still has
sympathy and moral support. But
Judgment in the United States today
is In state of suspension. Sympathy
and moral support will be quickly
withdrawn IL it is demonstrated now
that German territory and not repara-
tions is the objective of French policy.