Evening star., 1923-01-21

tContlnued nom First Page.)
observers. who are able to look at
things In an unbiased way, and they
are unanimous in stating that the
Germans would make any sort of a
sacrifice to revenge themselves. The
German soldiers who. after their
heavy defeat and in Q period Of great
mental depression expressed them
Selves az satisfied. because they be-
lieved that the war had ended war,
are now ready to take up arms
against Franco.
Brittsh See Beomeranx.
British statesmen. including Lloyd
George and Bonar Law and several
labor leaders, have warned the
French more than once that their
policy toward Germany was bound
10 prove a boomerang. 1t IS no ex-
asgeration to say that today the
feeling in Germany is that of a bel
ligerent who is rapidly approaching
the state OF 3 mad dog
Miiitarily France is well/able to
handle Germany. but what the fu-
ture will develop nobody can fore
see, though its contemplation is CAL
cuiated to cause alarm. The very
fact that responsible statesmen and
organs of opinion speculate on the
formation Of a. dangerous bloc is
enough to prove that Europe is In
the midst Of the gravest crisis since
the armistice
Who Is Friend or Foes
Actually the situation is worse, for
1t is becoming difficult to distinguish
between friend and foe If the situa-
tion Is viewed from the class angle
1t Is equally alarming, for it would
take but a little to topple over more
than one government. The commun-
lists are far from being a dead issue,
and with the political and economic
unrest reaching huge dimensions 1t
Is not unreasonable 20 expect people
to turn to revolution as a way out
OF their difficulties.
Reports received here from Berlin
indicate that the Cuno government
is none too secure. despite the rally
Ing of various parties on the nation
Americans Take Grave View.
American official observers are au-
therity for the statement that the
distress in central Europe will ex-
eeed shortly that during the crisis
eff the war These Americans take
the gravest sort of view OF the eco
nomic problem and its political con-
sequences.
When Benar Law succeeded Lloyd
George a wave of optimism spread
over the country largely because of
the feeling that the new leader
would adopt new tactics. All the
optimism has gone. and deep pes
simism filis the minds OF most of
the peoples outside France, where
confidence in the policy Of coercion
remains unabated.
There 10 not the least doubt that
Bonar Law Is rejecting the opinion
Of at least 30 per cent OF his country
men when he refuses to intervene.
A small percentage would like to see
Great Britain ranged alongside
France, and a larger group would
like to withdraw the British troops
from the Rhine.
Change Taking Place.
It is impossible to everemphssize
the fact that tremendous change
has taken place In Europe during the
last year. 1t 10 SO great and 60 deep
| that one recalls the situation four
years back, the eve of the Paris neaca
conference, with difficulty. For q time
people thought France might be able
TO grab Germany by the scruff of the
neck and to shake few more marks
out OF her, but now nobody cares
| much about that possibility.
Instead Of the channels of commerce
being opened they are fast being
Allied, but dangerous as that must
be TO European ships II is much more
serious to the world as clouds Of war
lowering over the continent. The
storm Is unlikely to break Immediate
ly, but II 10 regarded here a. in.
quickly.
The league may b able to do some-
| thing. and at least an attempt viii
be made shortly, largely throurh tha
efforts OF other nsutrais who taLe
just a. grave. II not q graver. view
~ the British.