Evening star., 1923-03-18
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.
M a certain August day in 1914

y N a Certain aug SuSI Jay III 1o1 4
Belgium antipathy to ex-
emplification of ruthless ma
tionalistic ego took form in
fierce military effort at Liege. The
Germans were forced to tarry in pro-
posed conquest.
Though today the situation is diff
ferent, though new conditions temper
the whole situation, nevertheless Bel
gium again has turned to champion
the right, even in the face of possible
estrangement of wartime ally.
Apparently Belgium's courage, sung
In wartime story and endeavor.
again has won a tremendous victory.
Through Belgium's stand there yet
remains hope of adjusting the COM
plex European situation and emcrg-
ing from the morass caused by occu-
patton of the Ruhr.
There can be little question but that
the stand of Premier Theunis and
Foreign Minister JaSpar in the con-
ference at Brussels with Premier
Poincare may be fixed as a mile
stone on the road to the readjust-
ment OF European conditions.
Poincare Visit TO Brussels.
Premier Poincare went to Brussels
ostensibly to strengthen plans for
the enforcement OF military edicts
to compel capituIation by the Ger
mans-capitulation leading to COM
pliance to the allied demands of 1872
o00,000.o00 of gold marks as laid down
by the first London conference fol-
lowing the treaty of Versailles. when
ir was seen plainly that an adjust
ment was necessary.
In the application of force to COM
nel Germany's capitulation Poincare
met hearty support, for Belgium stu
must fight for the priority payment
in the way of reparations for the
hideous scars left by Germanic
armies. Belgium is committed to the
French by various agreements subse-
Quent 10 the treaty OF Nersailles.
Though there is apparent apathy IN
Belgium regarding the Ruhr adven-
ture, there nevertheless IS the feel
ing that IL is better that Belgium pc
represented in efforts to compel Ger
manic payment. Thus they Will in
sure priority claims rather than per-
nit France to carry out the project
and ignore the claims of other allies.
There also IS keen delight in impress
ing upon the Germans the fact that
never has been fully realized in Ger
many, al least never recognized. But
Belgium, according to reliable ad-
vices reaching Washington, at all
times has been dubious of possible
results of the Ruhr seizure. and these
doubts have not been mitigated by
three months effort which has failed
to obtain sums and reparations de-
sired. However. Belgium will con-
ripue at the side of France until there
, is some settlement.
But in discussing the terms of set
tlement and future courses Belgium
sense Of justice again came to the
tore. even to the point of stirring
Poincare to heated anger and fierce
outbreaks in the Brussels confer
cnce.
Opposes Permanent Tenure.
Though willing to make Germany
pay, Belgium is not ready to see
permanent allied tenure of the Rhine
land and the Ruhr.
Notwithstanding the effort of GER
tain French apologists 10 insist that
this purpose never has been in the
minds Of the French. it is an estab-
lished fact that the French, even from
the days when France was Gaul and
a province of the Roman empire,
there ever has been the thought that
safety for Gaul and France lay In
retention and control of territories
now known as the Rhineland and the
Ruhr. Even in the days of the, Ro-
mans their advance protective posts
lay at Cob1enZ. Mayence and Cologne.
Through the centuries that have
elapsed wars have been fought. with
the Rhineland ever the goal in the
mind of the French. Napoleon openly
espoused French retention of this
region. though bel ewing that great
est safety lay in the division OF the
German states. a situation always
aided and abetted by the French tor
eign Office.
Always the French have looked to
the Rhineland as q needed bulWark
not surprising. then, that both Lloyd
George and President Wilson were
forced in long hours of debate to
resist the thesis Of Clemenceau that
the French should occupy perma-
nently the Rhineland and annex for
ever the Saar coal mine region.
| French officials have admitted to me
openly that France eventually must
have the Rhineland and the Ruhr to
fulfil age-old aspirations.
French Policy Old One.
To those who have witnessed first
hand the development Of the French
foreign policy since the world war
ended, it is not surprising that when
| Premier Theunis insisted that there
be withdrawal of the allied forces
from the Ruhr i'll proportion to the
payments Germany is expected to
meet by future agreements. Poin-
care should grow angry. 1t was