Evening star., 1923-07-06
RUHR RIFT LEADING
BRITAIN AND ALLIES
TO RISKY |MPASSE
Dangerous Developments
Seen in Deadlock on Policy
to Be Employed in Ruhr.
LONDON BENEVOLENCE
DEFINITELY AT END
Paris Sees Some Hope in Long Ne
gotiations-Cuno Stands
Against Sabotage.
ny PAUL SCOTT MowRER.


BY Cable TO The Star and Chicago Daily News.
Copyright. 1873.
PARIS, July 6.-The present crisis
In Franco British relations threatens
to become perhaps the gravest de-
yelopment since the world war. The
crisis has been imminent ever since
last January when the British re-
fused to discuss the French repara-
tions plan and the French occupation
of the Ruhr began. 1t was deferred
for several months by Great Brttain's S
attitude of more or less benevolent
neutrality toward the Ruhr occupa-
ton.
This British benevolence now seems
to be definitely ended. British diplo-
macy has recently provoked two
reparations proposals from Germany.
To the first France and Belgium re-
piled without consulting Great
Britain, thereby greatly irritating the
British government.
French Course Fixed.
The present crisis grew out of nego-
tiationS begun a month ago to ascer-
tain whether it would be possible for
the allies TO make a common reply to
the second German note.
The French have announced a hXed
determination not to swerve from the
principles laid down at the beginning
of the RuhT occupation-namely, no
negotiations with Germany so long Is
the latter continues its present re-
sistance. and evacuation of the Ruhr
area except proportionately as Ger
many pays its reparationS obligations.
Great Britain has submitted to the
French and BelgianS a questionnaire
asking precisely what is meant by
these principles. The French, though
saying little, obviously resent that
QUESTIONABLE. Their position, they
consider, has been explained repeated
~ by NJ. Poincare in great detail and.
apparently, they are reluctant to be
catechized.
Warning to France.
The Belgian cabinet crisis gave the
Beigians an excuse for not replying
Immediately to Great Britain's Dues
tionnaire. But no sooner is the Bel
gian cabinet reconstructed then the
British newspapers, obviously inspired
by the government. suddenly launched
q unanimous warning to France that
If Great Britain finds agreement with
France impossible IL may proceed to
make separate arrangements with
Germany.
Later statements issued by the Brit
ish government have served to con-
firm this threat, and in consequence
French feeling has begun to rise.
Great Britain wants written reply
to her questionnaire. France thinks
verbal reply sufficient and the French
amba ssador in London saw Marquis
Curzon Thursday for the purpose of
explaining again the French point of
view. His explanations, according to
todays reports from London, were
not entirely satisfactory to the Brit
ish foreign office.
No Sign of Weakening.
1t is difficult to see how the British
I,atr Of ar.at
arrangements with Germany, since
other nations, such as Italy, Belgium,
Sugoslavia and Rumania are con-
cerned. Moreover, the first result of
such a policy would be the almost
certainty that France would begin to
enforce still flrmer exactions in those
parts of Germany which French
troops now occupy. Some French OBJ
servers consider that the British
threat is mere bluff calculated to in
timidate French opinion, but the
French show no sign of weakening
thus far. and 1t is well rememoered
that frequently what begins as bluff
in international affairs comes to a
tragic ending.
Differ ON Other Issues.
AS background to the present
situation it must be remembered that
France and Great Britain differ not
only concerning Germany and the
matter of reparations, but also in
regard TO the near east ana the con-
troll of the city of Tangiers. The
British having settled the matter of
naval rivalry with the United States
at the Washington conference, has
announced it's intention of basing it's
greatest feet henceforth on the Is
land of Malta, in the Mediterranean.
and seems to intend to challenge the
present French supremacy in the air
by a big new aviation program.
Compromise between Europe'S great
est powers is still possible, as each
has a real interest in European peace
and reconstruction. On the other
hand, each has sentiments of national
honor and prestige that are daily
assuming more Importance, and every
day that carries France and Great
Britain along the present divergent
path makes the task of reconciliation
more difficult.