The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-07-14
Leadership
of French
Is sRejected
Premier Baldwin's Speech
Proposes Great Britain
Take Lead in Repara-
tions Tangle.
Neutrals Aid Is Sought
BY MARK SULLIVAN.

Paris, July 13.--Premier Baldwin's s
speech in the house of commons
amounted to proposing leadership on
the part of Britain in the relations
of the allies with Germany, leadership
TO follow, just as Britain refused to
follow Frances lead, when the latter
entered the Ruhr last January.
Premier Baldwin's explanation of
the causes which have led up to this
departure, as well as such proposals
for the future as he may make, have
Tine hope that the new British course
may so commend itself as to draw
endorsement, If not from France,
then from the allies other than
France, namely Italy and Belgium,
and also from neutrals like the United
States, and lead to a definite early
settlement of the whole reparation
problem.
France Takes Lead.
1t is to be remembered that France
has twice in the last six months gone
off on it's own lead with brusque-
ness contrasting strongly with the
SDllll Ol patient
is now trying to show the world.
France took the lead most cavalierly
when it entered the Ruhr on only
As hours notice. and again when it
sent separate reply to the first Ger.
man note, without even consulting
Britain.
When the last German note came.
France not only insisted on keeping
the lead, but actually demanded that
Britain endorse and follow its lead,
joining with France in exacting the
condition that Germany must with
draw passive resistance before any
answer whatever should be sent to
them.
Britain Quits Leader.
That is the phase ended by Pre-
mier Baldwin's speech. Britain has
earnestly searched for every possi-
bility of avoiding divergence. 1t
could not join with France in a. pub
lie demand for cessation of passive
resistance as a preliminary condition.
standing alone, because it would have
been in effect an endorsement and
joining with France in its policy of
occupying the Ruhr and would have
committed Britain to following that
course to the end-through series
of developments impossible to see,
and likely to be dangerous.
This Britain could not do. because
its position is that the occupation of
the Ruhr Is Illegal. Britain took this
position at the beginning, and with
the passage Of six months became
not only confirmed in its judgment
that Frances occupation is illegal, but
came to believe that II has also been
proved ineffective and is increasingly
a menace to the peace and stability
of the world.
Understanding Is Sought.
In this situation, what Britain
sought TO do was to come to an I'M
derstanding in advance with France
on a definite program of common ac
tion by the two countries. covering
every step up to final settlement OF
reparations. If this preliminary un
derstanding could have been brought
about, it was Britain's purpose then
TO give informal counsel to Germany
TO cease passive resistance. upon the
assurance that this would be followed
step by step, with a program agreed
upon between itself and France.
But Premier Poincare would moi
come to an understanding with
Britain on such a program. Poincare
refused to define clearly what he un
derstood by "passive resistance" lie
sscpld not define what he means by
PREPARATION" The cause OF this re
fusal Is the fear and suspicion or
the part Of France that Britain might
take advantage OF 1t In working
out the program and deprive it. no;
only OF what France regards as n
fair share Of reparations, but also oi
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