The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-08-17
W aShingtOn Fears Clash
OF France and England
Situation in Europe Regarded as Worst
Since Trying Days of 1914

WASHINGTON. Aug. iT.-Funda.
mentally, tho peace OF Europe is
Threatened because tho peace be.
tween Great Britain and France Is
threatened according 90 Informed
opinion In Washington toady.
This is the key 10 the intricate ana
dangerous European crisis today. Dc.
spite opinions for or against policies
OF certain European powers. there is
no doubt that Great Britain and
France could dominate and virtually
rule Europe today II they pulled to.
Eother.
But with one OF those great powers
pulling one way and the other pull.
ing another. neither OF them rules
there Is only the attempt the
result Is that tho peace OF Europs Is
disturbed.
War between Great Britain and
France within the next ten years Is
something that Is discussed with per,
feet frankness and seriousness by
diplomats here In their private con.
vorsations, Turning tho pages or
history hack for 200 years or SO
they point out that England and
France are traditional enemies.
ENGLISH AIR FLEET
CAUSES CONCERN
What was the meaning OF Eng
lands recent decision 10 build an
airplane fleet 60 protect tho British
Tafan - eugft-tans st..sa-tb a. ..-tth
stand any air force or combination
OF air forces that could DO modified
from Europo9 Simply these ohsory.
ers here state. that England fears
the growing military strength OF
France particularly Frances su.
premacy In tho air. and IL deter.
mined 10 put herself in a strong
enough position 30 there will ho no
need OF such fear.
The interests OF Great Britain ana
France are clashing In almos, every
corner OF the globe. according 10 not
alone official and diplomatic Adviecs
reaching Washington. hut newspaper
dispatches that arc published every
day.
The main clash Of interests today,
OF course. lies in the German rcpara.
tons question. Great Britain wants
more lenient attitude towards Ger.
many. fearing that the present
French policy win crush Germany to
an extent that viii destroy her eco.
noEnic effectiveness, France wants
rcparntiona. Is determined 60 got the
sum she considers just and Is not
particularly considerable Of Germany
in taking steps 20 see that the form.
or enemy country pays.
II Il big business In Great Britain
that Is demanding that the British
government check France. because
Frances occupation az tho Ruhr Is
hurting British business. The Brit.
ish government Is doing what Il can
In an economic and diplomatic way.
but. according 10 diplomatic advicoB
received here. fears the military
supremacy OF France.
France "a building UP European
and a world empire that threatens 10
equal or even surpaAs that OF Great
Britain's. Militarily. OF coursc.
France Is tho sironEes; nation In the
world today. hu, this Is not all that
worries England.
Tho territory that France holds In
Africa rivals the possessions OF Brit.
ain. Frances diplomacy checkmatcd
England In Turkey. France Is look
ing beyond tho Occidental world into
ths Orient. She Is beginning TO con.
strue; great wireless stations in the
Far East to further French interest.
FRENCH WORK
FURT0USLY
And France industriously has been
strengthening her political and dip.
lomatic postoin in Europe. eneir.
cling herself with allies at all stra.