Evening star., 1923-07-15
UNITY ON PREPARATIONS
POLICY STILL REMOTE
Prolonged Negotiations Between France
and England Likely-Bedrock
Theories Vary Widely.

, proposed British reply to the Ger
man note Is expected to go to Brus-
sells. Paris and Italy during the COM
ing week. In connection with 1t
there will be extensive memoranda
further outlining the viewpoint of
the French will arbitrarily and
hastily take any action that will
bring severance of ties with Britain.
More likely negotiations will con-
tinue for weeks. IL conditions within
Germany proper do not demand an
immediate settlement and one upon
which France and England can have
hope of agreeing.
French Purpose Cited.
The French have made the claim
that they went into the Ruhr solely
for the collection of what Is due
| them. Premier Poincare in the cham
| ber but few days back declared:
We went into the Ruhr without
any thought of annexation or perma-
nent occupation, but to have a pledge
or guarantee and to exercise an eff
feetive coercion on Germany. We
! ask, above all, that Germany cease
| resistance and withdraw the decision
she has taken and give proof of her
good will. 1t is for Germany to cut
short the occupation of the Ruhr.
| The sooner Germany pays the sooner
we withdraw"
Premier Baldwin, in his most re-
cent pronouncement, declares that
Germany cannot pay under present
conditions. much as the French would
| like payment, and cites the impotence
OF Germany as reason.
Question Of Settlement.
The English government has been
informed, from time to time, that the
| French are in the Ruhr to carry out
! the policies of the military and i'm
perialistic elements of France look
| ng toward the eventual annexation of
the Rhineland and the Ruhr, and that
France does not want a settlement
1t is held in London that the French,
! If they would disprove this to the
world, must make their policy coin
! eide more with that of the British,
who argue that as Germany cannot
pay under occupational conditions. 1T
| is up to the French to withdraw their
forces after adequate German guar
antees have been given. Britain
would use promised German guaran-
tees as a basis for negotiation, in
| miSsal of the most recent Berlin rep
arations tender. The French distruSt
all guarantees except those imposed
by France. Poincare and Millerand
policy of force inaugurated in Janu-
ary.
Can the French theory of forcing
German payment and the British
! claim of the futility of present
courses be reconciled?
Upon this question depends the out
come of the protracted negotiations
that are imminent as the result OF
the British decision to take an active
hand in the reparations question, in
! stead of compIacently sitting by while
the whole question drifts to the dis
advantage of English diplomacy.
Political Future Mt Stake.
There is little question but that the
whole political future of the present
French government rests upon sue
cessful solution of the impasse ex-
listing as the result of the failure of
the French policy to collect due rep
arations. Poincare insists that when
passive resistance is ended and the
Germans prove their good faith, then
France will relent, assist in the pro-
cess of reconstruction and at the
many pays
There is some question as to
whether Premier Poincare would be
safe in halfway approaching the
troops should be withdrawn from the
Ruhr. 1t is most certainly true that
France will not admit, at the pres
ent juncture, at least. that her policy
has failed by ordering such with
drawal. All France would be afiame
in an instant if the French govern
ment recalled occupational forces be-
fore the Germans have been made to
admit their defeat in the present
Ruhr enterprise and forced to ac-
knowledge their wartime guilt and
reparations lodges. On the other
hand, this is the very thing which
Premier Baldwin insists is necessary
If Germany is to pay and even he de-
mands that Germany be made to pay
for her wartime perfidies.
withdrawal Doubted.
Though there may be general agree
ment and unity as to purpose there is
some question that the French gov
ernment, with things drifting as far
as they have, can ever withdraw.
British influence in Berlin may bring
an end to passive resistance to aid
the French position, but this will re-
main doubtful until it is proved that
Chancellor Baldwin stands some
chance of influencing Paris toward
the general end desired.
UnQuestionably the real crisis will
come when Paris is informed of the
proposed British reply to Germany.
Though 1t Is expected that the Brit
ish government will go far in en-
viewpoint and in consideration of the
susceptibilities of the leaders of
French political thought. 1t is be-
lieved that there will be sufficient OBJ
stacles to preclude Frances accept
ance, unless prolonged negotiation
surmounts various barriers.