San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-04-15
LONDON VISIT
| Of LOUCHEUR
IS CRITICIZED
Tardieu Claims 1t Has
Weakened Frances
Position in Ruhr.
HIS PLANS ARE OLD
Are warmed Over" From
Previous Conferences
on Reparations.
HIS PLANS ARE OLD
BY ANDRE TARDIEU.


Copyright, by The San Antonio Light.
Paris. April 14.--The visit Of M.
Loucheur to London was monu-
mental mistake. The only result has
been to stiffen Germany's opposition
because of the belief that France was
weakening and was not ready to go
through with her complete RUM pro-
gram.
When it was learned that NJ. Lou
cheur had crossed the channel there
was mild interest here. 1t was known
that he had talked with a half dozen
British ministers, but because. he does
not object to publicity little atten-
ton was paid to this. Not until the
Daily Telegraph published his So
called reparations plan which carried
us back several months, did anyone
here think a second time about the
visit.
Curiosity developed further when
Loucheou, carrying the paradox to the
extreme declared lie had gone to Lon
don only to visit the museum, despite
the fact that as soon as he returned
ut hdu u lOHS Ntlu l. OibNolNs iht
people then realized that where there
was so much smoke there also must
be some fire, and, news being scarce,
the papers gave themselves free rein.
Facts i'm the Matter.
According to trustworthy informa-
ton, the facts are as follows: Lou
cheur who wants to get back into
power and remains convinced that his
various reparations plans submitted
at Paris, London, Cannes, etc., will
make for universal happiness if they
ever are adopted, took it upon him
self to go to London to talk about
them. Before going he had chat
with Poincare. The latter who is I'M
able to MAKE a clear decision on any
subject, did not dare to tell Loucheur
to abandon his trip as il might prove
embarrassing so he pulled out his old
plan of last December and elaborated
on it. Thus when Loucheur went to
England he let it be known he was
fresh from Poincare's arms and this
explains why Bonar Law, although
ill, Travelled miles to meet him and
also why, Immediately after he was
the guest of Lord Burnham, pro-
prietor Of the Telegraph, that paper
publishing the reparations plan, as
sorting it was "the product of the
best French minds"
Thus Englishmen who conversed
with Loucheur were convinced that
the latter in reality was Poincare's
envoy. Likewise also, Loucheur, when
he returned to Paris did not object to
p certain amount of publicity con
corning his trip.
Criticism by Paris Press.
But the press comment has been
bad from his point of view and most
papers criticize the move as spread
ing doubt concerning Frances deter
mination to carry the Ruhr enterprise
10 its natural finish with victory for
our country. At first, Poincare said
nothing. Then Loucheur went to the
Quai d'Orsay and asked for support.
The semi-official press at once
changed its tone and Loucheur had
| it stated without official denial that
the trip was authorized by the pre-
n'ier.
unfortunately the statement will
not bear examination. For example
the suggestion that Germany is TO
be substituted for Great Britain and
France in paying the debts these two
nations owe America has caused loud
laughter everywhere among all who
know that the inter-Allied debt prob
lem is not so simple as all that. More.
over, the old scheme Of mutual debt
cancellation long ago was dropped
and Loucheur, by warming over these
old formulas, showed an unbelievable
and lamentabe lack of judgment.
From the political viewpoint l will
make just this observation
Poincare now declares his views
are unchanged and he will rean-
nounce them in q speech. However, his
hesitation has linked him with the
Loucheur position and the whole is n
farce that should have been avoided.
Poincare today realizes this too late.