Evening star., 1923-04-01
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

" HAT Bonar Law, prime minis
ter of England. will be forced
to take definite stand In the
immediate future in regard to
the French position in the Ruhr and
Rhineland, or retire from his present
exalted position, is the intimation
that has reached Washington.
The Law policy of indirect sanction
of French activities, coupled with
repeated refusals to intercede actively
in effort to settle the difficulties pre-
vailing between the French and the
Germans is arousing every branch of
British political thought. Laws
enemies have seized upon England's
present Ruhr policy as a weapon In
strenuous attacks. Politicians are
rallying against the government, and
even though present efforts may be
discounted mere political thunder
designed to shake the confidence of
the government in its present posi-
tion. 1t nevertheless IS believed that
within the course of the immediate
future Law will not dare defy the
demands so builded up and that
already are flooding the government.
Everywhere there is a desire for eX-
peditious and firm stand In regard to
rerpetuation of French tenure in the
Ruhr.
Casts About for Plan.
Rather than face fall in a test
vote in parliament, it IS learned
through well informed sources, that
the premier is today casting about
for a way to preserve 'England's
friendship with France and at the
same time settle present vexatious
problems in order that the future Sc
curity of Europe may be insured.
The position of Bonar Law is not
one to be envied. Premier Poincare
has stated most emphatically that
France will resent as hostile any
move designed to prevent fulfillment
OF all French purposes. The French
are insistent that Germany first make
tenders directly to France and Bel
gium. The French declare any other
means of procedure will not be toll
Grated. Gcrmany'S pride prevents
this If other methods can be utilized
and it is not surprising that during
the past ten days Foreign Minister
Won Rosenberg should send up kites
in Washington, London and Rome, in
dtcating Germany is ready TO accept
the Hughes plan of determination of
Germany'S just obligations. with the
view of complete settlement of any
sums thereby filed. This scheme in
C.
in practically every way the French
premier continues TO lock the door
and bolt it. as stated by Chancellor
Of EXchequor Baldwin in the British
France is determined that ser every
purpose, political as well as economic,
be realized before giving in.
Wants own Settlement.
France is pressing for settlement in
her own way. Germany must capitu-
late completely and meet French
terms mpletely-terms which are
as yet ambiguous and which prob
ably would only be revealed with
their amplifcations when Germany
announced readiness TO treat with
France direct. Germany is suspicious
Of possible French exactions without
the mediation of outside sources II
Is for this reason that the policy OF
resistance will continue to be
preached by the German government
until the French make known their
conditions. When these are made
clear cut there is every reason to
believe that Germany may approach
france directly. But unless there is
defintteneSs on the part OF France
there will be procrastination on the
part OF Germany
According to advices which have
reached Washington the Germans are
weary unto death of the stalemate in
the Ruhr. They desire settlement
would rather pay an amount of repa-
TationS fixed within their means than
Coatinue present conditions and alb
roEate the treaty of Versailles and
subsequent allied exactions Ger
many wants to get back to work with
ell her old-time power and energy.
but with the present conditions pre-
Tatling there prevails little EXCEPT
gloom and there certainly is no in
duccment under pain of seizure to
produce TO the fullest extent
Suspicion Grows in England.
1t is declared that Germany has
been told by both Bonar Law and
Nussolini that she must treat directly !
with the French, but there is every
reason to believe that the statements
o. both Mussolini and Bonar Law are
mere pap for French consumption.
The former is exceedingly desirous
OF bringing the Ruhr deadlock to an
end, thereby winning diplomatic
glory and prestige for Italy as we'll |