Evening star., 1923-02-16
FRANCE MAKES BIG
LOAN TO POLAND
Parliament Votes 100000
600 Francs for Country to
Recover Economically.
WAR DESIGNS ATTACKED
Money Declared Will Be Used for
Strengthening Military and Used
Against Germany.
By the Associated Press.


PARIS, February 16.-A loan of 400,-
600, 900 francs to Poland has been voted
by the French parliament. 1t Is Off
cially described as "for the purpose of
improving Polands financial and eco
nomic situation. so that it may resume
it's proper place in the European concert
of nations and play the role to which Its
geographical position and history en-
title it,"
The vote on the measure was 51o to
6s Many of those who voted against it
declared that the loan. while destined
ostensibly for the organization Of the
Polish army against "unwarranted at
tack from the east" was really put
through as a .'means of coercion against.
Germany from the west
For National Defense.
Tire engagement for the loan was un-
dertaken by the BRAND government in
1921. and article of the bill reads:
THE French government is empowered
to open credit for 400,000,O00 francs to
the Polish government for deliveries OF
material under special account, reim-
bursable at the rate OF per cent IN
terest.''
The report of VI. Reynald. reporter for
the foreign affairs commission, of which
former Premier Leygues is president,
says the loan is destined TO balance l'o-
lands civil expenditures. such as thof
for the railroads. telegraphs. telephones
and other public utility services The
next item. however. says that the loan
is for the purpose of national defense,
to be decided upon "by mutual arrange
mentS between the two governments OF
France and Poland, in accordance with
the decisions of the French and Polish
general military staifs.'
Danger of Attack.
Opposition to the measure in parlia-
ment was based on the allegation
that the danger of an attack on
Poland from the east now was
inexistent and thus the money was
being advanced for military purposes
no longer defensive, but in realty
offensive.
During the discussion there were
verbal exchanges between Premier
Poincare and the socialists, especially
Deputy Marius Moutet. who defended
CaillauX during his trial before the
high court.
During the debate Premier Poincare
said: II have stated many times that
as soon as our creditors remitted our
debts. we would not hesitate to cancel
the amounts due us
Deputy Moutct retorted: when ii
country has not sufficient money to
pay its own debts II should not loan
even to its friends.
situation Declared Changed.
The socialists argued that the situa-
ton had changed since the BRAND
government agreed to the principle
OF a loan: it was then the eve of the
Genoa conference, and the govern
desired
entente cordialc with the assistance
of the league of nations. But money
advanced now was designed Tor
aggressive purposes; while the entire
world favored reduction of arma-
ments the French government alone
was lending funds for military pur-
poses.
NJ. Poincare replied: We are lend
ing money TO friend in need. 1t
is the only explanation you will get
from me. il is not as bad as others
l might give"
Communists Opposed.
The communists bitterly opposed
the loan Deputy Blanc Informed the
Associated Press correspondent that
one of the secret clauses of the agree
ment called for the purchase of war
material to the amount of 1OO.OoO.00o
francs from one of the largest am
munition and gun plants in France.
The loan is plainly directed against
Germany" he declared. "in the de-
sire to strengthen Poland to do in
SileSia what we are doing in the
Ruhr"
Members of the chamber close 10
the government insisted that Premier
Poincare was only fulfilling under
takinGs entered upon by the BRAND
government in which the word of
France was engaged: the govern
ment had no ulterior motive. but
merely wished to make good Frances
promises.
NJ. de Lasteyrie refused to inform
the chamber as to what securities
Poland had deposited with the French
government, beyond saying:
"The Polish government gives us
solid guarantees for our investment
1t is understood on good authority
that the loan is based on resources
of the Polish forests. zinc and lead
mines. petroleum fields and salt de-
posits.