Evening star., 1923-01-02

tiers overseas are now c1amoring for
markets abroadsSo= as to help boost
farm prices to. the American pre-
ducers. 49,. -..--------. 49,
Every effort to bring a settlement
in Europe of economic Ills has been
directed at France. AS for the re-
lattons between Great Britain and the
United States, they never were better.
There is an identity Of interest be-
tween America and the British Both
power restored. England wants it
because her ships VIII carry the
goods to and from Germany Amer
lea wants II so that Germany can buy
In the American market the surplus
which has y bean tS-EnAde possible
through expanded facilities and in
creased production in this country
ever since the European war --sfiInu-
lated manufactures and production of
raw materials =.
French Viewpoint Limited.
The French, however, see the whole
situation through French eyes-not
British and not American. They see
devastated areas. unrestored.. They
see the French capacity for produc-
tion and manufacture limited by re-
duced manpower. They know the Ger
man capacity for production and
manufacture. They fear Germany as
an economic factor, but mostly they
disbelieye the cry that Germany can
not pay her indemnity in the future.
The French admit that a temporary
omission of payments or moratorium
may be necessary, but they will not
give up future payments. They still
when Germany is strong enough to
invade. @e+
Thus far the United States and Great
Britain have not been able to offer
any plan which would satisfy the
French The cablegrams from abroad
| telling OF the proposal to France by
Chancellor Cuno of q non-aggression
pact, whereby Germany would agree
not to invade France. and vice versa,
| is in line with American endeavor
ever since President Harding publicly
suggested the Horsepower pact idea
for Europe in his message to Congress
last month. a---. III
Reluctant to Accept.
I But the French are reluctant to ac-
cept such a treaty at this time. They
have discouraged further negotia-
tions. though everybody realizes a
revival OF the plan may be brought
about IL the United States makes a
public plea for it and promises to be-
| come party to the -aggres sion
pact as a sort of guarantor- of the
good faith OF all concerned. Would
the "irreconcilables" and the farm
bloc in the American Senate be will
| ing to ratify such treaty for Europe
as they ratified in connection, with
] American interests in the Pacific and
| far east? At the present stage of
| evolution on foreign policy, the an
swer would be negative. but as 1t
becomes increasingly. apparent that
| the price Of French consent to q
| world settlement Is something like
American ratification OF non-ag-
gressien treaty, the opinion of the
Senate may change.
Stability First Question.
AS for the economic problems in
| volved in Germany.s capacity to pay
| the French will be more easily salts
! fed on that after the stability of Eu-
| rope is assured through treaties than
before. They must be persuaded first
that they will be as we'll off If not
better by giving up the severe penalty
! clauses of the Versailles treaty In ex-
| change for an American guarantees
| before they will yield.
| Should France remain aloof from
| all these efforts, the United States
1 Will ma n0reStL Will SEo6t
Britain as against French dismember-
ment of Germany. This correspond
ent has learned positively that France
has been told America would look
with disfayor on French dismember-
| nent of Germany. In any realign-
nent of powers. Great Britain would be
/ moved to stand beside Germany and
1 fnterpose her influence against
/ French exactions.
| U. s. Moral Support.
The moral support OF the United
States would be thrown on the side
of Great Britain and Germany ana
| against France. Can any French min.
istry at this time take the responsible
ity of forcing such a readjustment
! and especially can it justify q, definite
l estrangement, not only between
! France and Great Britain, but also be
| tween France and the United States;
| II the fear of Germany is intense TO
| day it would be bound to be intensi
| fed inside. France. when the mora
| sympathy of America and Great Brit
1 ain were publicly given to Germany
These are alternatives and possibl,
| DEVELOPMENTS OF the day In the work.
1 crisis. Oh1cial Washington is watch
| ing with deepest anxiety the nutconl,
l of the Paris conference and hopins
| against hope that France will Civ,
| the world a cheerful message ofrl32,
that she will cooperate with the. res
4 t. a