Evening star., 1923-09-09

df the greatest industrialists of Ger
many.
Finding il increasingly difficult to
Breathe financially, politically or
economically. there has been every in
deation within the past ten days that
Within another two months France
and Germany will at the given signal
release their clutches, take a long
breath and in unison remark, Lets
be buddies."
Impossible as this situation appears
at q glance, because of ancient an
tipathies, prejudices and even hatreds.
there are increasing signs that the
impossible is to be realized. Each will
make concessions to the others ma
tional pride, then they will put their
respective shoulders to the wheels of
progress and see If something cannot
be rescued from the at present cha
otic and exceedingly dangerous situa-
1ion. And if there be honest en-
ueavor to solidify the economic inter
csts and consequently the political in
terests of the two powers, whose en-
mites are responsible for four -fifths
of the trying conditions that prevail
throughout the world today. then
Europe as whole may get about the
business of adjusting itself to the
new order and settle down to a gen.
eral march toward much desired goals
prosperity and peace.
Ready for Era of Reason.
Though the tireco-Italian situation
with it's myriad dangers naturally
has held the lilnelight. in SO far as
world political discussions are con-
cerued, it nevertheless is fact that
the greatest development is the
tendency Of both the German and
French governments to listen to rea-
son, end the impossible situation ex-
listing in the Ruhr and cooperate not
only for the salvation of themselves.
but the general industrial and
economic advance of the continent.
Though the industrial groups of
Germany, headed by SHINES and
Thysson, have on several occasions
since the impasse in the Ruhr, at
tempted to get in touch with Premier
Poincare of France and the French
irEdustrialists. thereby to effect some
sort of working arrangement between
the two nations. these efforts in
rariably havctresulted in failure be-
cause of the position of the French
government, which has insisted that
the general question of reparations
must be settled previous to economic
agreements of whatsoever character
Because of the absolute antagonism
of the Wirth and Cuno regimes in
Germany to any move savoring of
weakening passive resistance in the
Ruhr and coupled with their attempts
to prolonG resistance to the French
with governmental assistance to the
peoples of occupied territories, the
efforts of the industrialists were
handicapped at the start There has
been little progress in the effort to
bring the moneycd interests of the
two countries together. even though
it long has been recognized fact
that united effort economically would
eventually result in political peace
and adjustment Of future courses.
Would End Resistance.
Though the Stresemann govern
promise, representing all political
parties, the new chancellor is COM
mitted to the general policy of lifting
Germany from the slough of despond,
in so far as internal conditions are
concerned. and to reaching some ad-
justment with the French, If it is
humanity possible to do so without
surrendering Germany's territorial
birthright along the Rhine.
During the past week or ten days
Chancellor Strescmann has indicated
in public speeches and through Dip
Iomatic channels that the time has
arrived for the end of passive re-
sistance, provided the French will
give the Germans some assurance
that if they cease their resistance
France will desist in efforts to wean
away the Rhineland and eventually
will restore the integrity of the Ruhr.
Chancellor Stresemann has gone far
in announcing the German govern
ments Willingness to grant
mortgage of 25 per cent on the rail-
ways and all industrial enterprises
in Germany as adequate guarantee
for reparations payments. In addi-
ton to this, under the plan now
evolving, the French and the Ger
mans would work out private plans
by which each would have SO per
, cent in the. operation of the great
metallurgical industries of western
Germany, which are SO necessary to
the general industrial advance Of
both nations. Chancellor Stresemann
believes there will be little reason for
the French to maintain their diligent
control over affairs in the Ruhr, in
face of their guarantees involving
Germanic industry as a whole.
French Government Pleased.
Notwithstanding the claims of high
French officials, supposedly rejecting
the views of Poincare, that any eco
uomic accord must hinge upon Ger
manys agreement to reparations
terms, it is known definitely that the
Stresemann proposals have been
. highly pleasing to the French gov
ernment and, in case the Germans
end passive resistance, the way at
once will be open to a lasting salts
factory economic and political accord.
The bringing together of French
~nd German interests at the present
crhical juncture depends in large
.y- sure upon the finesse which each
,I,.s in making possible concessions
10 the other. The position Of both
. governments is critical, and any
I'M oy-.l %