San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-02-18
Impossible for This Gov
eminent to Offer Media
ton in Europe.
REAL FRENCH MOTIVES
Ruhr Invasion Intended to
Make Germany Help
less to Start War.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

Copyright. by The San Antonio Light.
Washington, ID. C., Feb. 17.-Al-
though the Washington government
regards the situation in Europe today
as one of the greatest crisis in world
history, no action of any sort by the
United State is contemplated. The
situation between France and Ger
many growing tenser every moment,
seems all but hopeless in the Amcrl-
can view. The government here IN
Washington feels it has nothing to Of
fer that would be acceptable 10 the
other side. 1t has become perfectly
clear in the last few hours that Presi-
dent Harding and Secretary Hughes
have made up their minds that even
If the existing conditions become far
worse than they are today the United
States cannot act. This country has
no desire TO accept the role of umpire
as between France and Germany With
the prospect of being bombarded and
hated by both when n decision should
be rendered.
Meantime there has come to Wash
ington real Qualification of Frances
motives in the Ruhr. Observers just
back from France-unofficial Observ-
ers of course-who claim that they
may speak the real feeling of the
French people, have bluntly stated
that France in occupying the Ruhr
has seized the German sword. France
has feared a war of revenge by Ger
many, war in which the United
States and England might not he
there to render help. France feels that
so long as she holds the Ruhr, Ger
ms nv a.
scale. Therefore France will not let
go in the Ruhr until such time as she
feels sure of other guarantees against
German aggression.
Would Want New Treaty.
These guarantees would be in the
| nature of renewal of the tri-party
treaty signed in Paris during the
peace conferences treaty binding
the United States and Great Britain
to go Immediately to assistance of
France in the event Of an unprovokGd
assault by Germany. Though signed
by President Wilson and LIoyd
| George this treaty had no chance VI
| approval in the United States or in
| the United Kingdom. The reason
France is going ahead on "her own
now, with such moral assistance as
GUM, is that she feels that the United
States and England deceived her on
the tripartite treaty. The prospect of
renewal Of that treaty at this time
naturally is ridiculous. Sentiment IN
England is running strongly against
the French, while in the United States
it is divided, to say the least.
Heretofore France has been credit
ed in Washington with having one OF
three motives in taxing the Ruhr.
These we're:
Ito obtain ready money out Of
the industrial basin TO apply on
reparations payments.
ITO dismember Germany By
creating independent states.
SO so cripple German industry
| as. to force the German government
10 make an effort of payment which
France with dignity might accept.
The fourth explanation which has
just come, that of an isolated France
defending herself against future Ger
man attack by seizing Germany,s
weapon-her coal, her iron. her steel
and great munitions plants like the
hrupp works ut Essen is an entire
ly new one TO the Washington gov
eminent and is being generally ac-
| cepted today as the real one.
Is Nothing 10 Offer.
This fourth explanation accounts
for the feeling Of helpfulneSs which
has swept over Washington in the
last few days. France will not get out
! OF the Ruhr without good and suffi-
Gent guarantees as to her future.
What can the United States offer
In the way OF guarantees? Nothing.
1t has been stated in the debates I'm
Congress that the United States could
| not call an economic conference of
the world powers because the first de
| mand OF most of the powers would be
for cancellation of the debts owed 60
/ America. Such a cancellation never
would be agreed 10 by Congress. But
| even If one can imagine the United
states cancelling the debt of France
as move for peace in Europe, such
cancellation would not be a guar
! antee against Germany which France
| desires.
The invitation which have come
10 the United States to intervene o.
mediate in the desperate European
! struggle, are interpreted here as Il
| bid for this country to take one side
or the other in the dispute. This the
American government will not do. no
| matter how strong the pressure NAV
become from one side or the other.
Public Sentiment Divided.
! II is fully recognized here that the
! public sentiment of this country ,is
| divided az between GERMANY and
! France: that there is no distinct
! American viewpoint on the EuropSr
| situation Of today. II is further real
lied that in a situation so tense snv
move might easily meet a false con
struction and create untold havoc.
Being on the best of terms with both
| France and Germany, the United
/ States does not care to incur the
I hatred Of either.
So far as the American government
is concerned. the situation boils itset
down 10 this point:
The United States Will not act a.
neaCemaker until both Germany ane
France Join in such q request. Franz
is not expected 70 mskNF such r.
Quest unless she Is assured OF definite
guarantees.
| 4, 81 W~sLfnrfNn mint % viru