Evening star., 1923-12-02
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

y1THIE the space of a fort
AN night both England and
France have shown two
distinct signs that their
!eauers have seen the light-that
there must be continued co-operation
TOT the space of the next few months
at any rate, or until political and
economic conditions In Europe have
SHOWN progress along the lines Of
reconstruction.
The latest effort toward rapproche-
ment and reconciling their differences
-Ior the sake of momentary expe-
0lency, at least-came Friday in the
announcement from Paris that the
reparations commission would name
Two committees of experts to exam
Inc Germany's position. particularly
the balancing Of her budget and ex-
animation into the question OF Ger
man hnanceS abroad with the view of
getting monetary exports returned
tnat there may be fairer Communication
OF Iermany's final ability to pay the
reparations burden.
Waves Legality Question.
Though it is significant that the
ailies will leave places open for
american representation, official if
the Washington government sees fit,
II - extremely significant at the pres
eht functure that Britain waived the
question OF the legality of the Ruhr
occupation. Poincare. on the other
hand waived his position that the
investigation should embrace the
n,,'S, oh
within a given number Of years. Eng
lana likewise leayeS the question of
complete payment an open one. It be-
ing presumed that the entire investi-
satlon wiz be conducted upon the
french thesis of 132.0OO,0O0, 900 gold
marks reparations as fixed BY the
conference of London
III Is generally agreed now, even in
Paris, that the Germans will be un-
hpIe 10 pay anything Of material pro-
portions during the next three to five
years. and apparently the British
viewpoint that there should be some
sane and unprejudiced examination
or Germany's ability to settle her
accounts with the world has been
adopted by the French, with the reser-
vation. however, that France will not
abandon her national position and
VIII not consider any steps looking
toward abandonment of the Rhine-
land and the Ruhr.
Distinct Cooperative Gain.
Blu: the distinct gain is represented
In apparent cooperative endeavor.
England proper. however, continues
70 voice skepticisrn as to the chance
OF the expert commission accomplish
Ing concrete results looking toward
final settlement of the vexatious rep
arations question. and particularly
without the cooperation OF Ameri-
cans. The voice Of America is looked
upon now. as ever, as the only i'm
partial. unbiased one in world affairs
at the present moment. Though un-
questionably the representatives of
America on such commission Off
cial or semi official, might act as q
bulwark against the surging tides of
French and British nationalisrn, there
ever remains the lurking fear In
Washington that in the process Of
negotiations this country might be
committed to settlements involving
future policies as to the world at
large.
However, K may be expected that ,
unless there be marked cases of in
transigeance on the part of France or
England, the experts will go about
their work with the hope that through
their activities something may be ac-
compiished. However, there will be
many obstacles to be overcome be-
fore the French and English view
points are completely reconciled. In
tact. the division of experts on Ger
Nlany's capacity and division of opin-
ION as to how the allies should treat
their Investigations with eye single
70 eventual repayment of reparations
Enay but offer further stumbling
blocks TO future accord.
Determined on Results.
Nothing risked. nothing gained. and
the allies will enter the investigation
determined to achieve concrete results.
To the close observer of events there
IS some question as to how far conti-