Evening star., 1923-08-05

, l career.
Foreign policies, particularly
in regard to reparations and the
Ruhr. must be crystallized and car
ried forward along definite lines.
The British premier lays himself
open to charges. from the "die-hard"
clements in British politics. of pro-
crastination and failure to advance
the British cause in European politi-
cal councils. He will be accused of in
ability to remedy British industrial
chaos through advancement of Brit
aims trade and financial advantages
throughout Europe.
But there is little or no indication
at the moment that Premier Baldwin
Is to be permanently deferred from Il
firm policy in regard to reparations
, and the Ruhr and future settlement
with Germany. in the hope that even
tually Germany may be saved from a
state of chaos which every one ad-
mitS. even Paris. will come as the re-
suit of complete German collapse
At the moment Baldwin'S diplo- =
matte sun has been overshadowed by
the refusal of the French and the Bel
regard to reparations and the Ruhr
which does not embrace early aban-
idonment by the Germans of all pas
SlVe resistance to the dictates of the
toccupylng allied powers and the de-
'crees of the reparations commission.
Announce Britnin's Position.
In the commons on Thursday Pre-
ymier Baldwin announced the prem
Uses upon which Britain based her
fcase. principles which have been from
ttlme to time outlined in detail For
iflgn Minister Curzon, in the house of
Lords, in addition to echoing the po-
fSitIon of England and the failure of
half way upon proposals suggested
| Tor combined allied reply to Germany.
went out of his way to bitterly CEN
sure the French attitude. He re-
mlndcd France that while Belgium
and France desired reparations. it
must not he forgotten by them that
J othter nations, more desirous of a
more lenient policy toward the Ger
mans, also desired reparations and
these rights always would be pro-
/ tected by the British government
I The premier and his foreign minister
pointed out plainly that nothing def
tntte could be expected immediat tely
gin bringing France and Belgium to A
state where they would view the Brit
lsh proposals with complacency. In
snort, both Baldwin and Curzon tao
y itiy admitted that the British effort
ito bring about a conference of the
allies in which the subject of repara-
,,tions was to be reviewed and total
sums possibly revised with the view
of allaying Germanic distress had
diSmdlly failed.
Remarks Significant.
In view of the keen resentment
against the French policy which ap-
parenuy is growing apace in Eng
land. the remarks of both the pre-
1nier and Lord CurZon were signifi-
cant. While both indicated the de-
sire of the British government not
to break with France. on the question
OF reparations and prolonged oc-
cupation of the Ruhr. nevertheless
it is believed in both Paris and Lon
don that that break is coming 1t
Is but question of time.
There is every ground for belief
that the British Will continue to at
tempt negotiation in regard to the
matter until such time as the British
government can reveal correspond
ence and records of negotiations that
nave gone on in recent weeks Eng
land feels that the British case will
De proven to the world and to the
The French, fundamentally, care lit
Tie. according to various sidvices
what the British do inasmuch as
they have established status quo
situation to the advantage of French
interests. If Poincare could SWING
the British government to his pres
lent position unqueStionabIy he would
be pleased. But inasmuch as British
influence would be materially cur
tailed and discredited on the con-
tinent were Baldwin finally to agree
to the French thesis after once pub
liCly denouncing it. there is no hone
that England will bend in the final
analysis.
on the other hand. the French be
lieve that if present negotiatirn..
can be prolonged the whole riddle
will be solved by conditions in Ger
many.
Purported French Desire.
1t is charged in England. and given
some credence elsewhere. that the
French are desirous of seeing the
Germans prostrated under the weight
OF their present load in order that
the French may force eventual adj
nittance of the error of German pa.-
sive resistance 1t is charged in
Berlin that the French are backing
the Rhineland separatist movement
Gnd have even gone so far as to
attempt to undermine the Cuno gov
srnment. with the belief that an
other German government will he
dnore amenable to reason, as C.Iro
ds committed to perpetual resistance
to the allies.
France will profit, according to
England if Germany collapses--Which
would give the French firmer hold on
even more extensive territory than now
held-or she will profit by her present