Evening star., 1923-07-22
BY MAXIMILIAN HARDEN,
Germnny's Foremost Publicist.

BY Gable TO The Star.
BERLIN, July 21.-Political and
economic reasons are behind the pres
ent British move in the reparations
question. It is the old problem of
balance of power
Since Russia ceased to be great
power and Lloyd George left weapons
in the hands of France and her allies
from Ostend to Angora, but took
them from Germany, England has
been standing alone against France.
No European nation is bound to Eng
land She dominates Australia COM
pletely Africa almost completely, has
a strong position in North America,
South America.
Polite Phrases Exchanged.
Can she then demand to be the su-
preme arbiter in Europe? She and
France have been exchanging polite
phrases. But polite phrases do not
alter realities The question is
whether England, in case of need,
would venture war; whether she
could long endure French airplanes
channel and the blocking of food
supplies.
The alphabetically passive German
policy, which rests all It's hopes on
England, appears to believe she can
be the supreme arbiter. But Ger
many's will is not paralyZed forever.
Whoever in Germany today advocates
an understanding with the French is
regarded as born fool or a traitor.
rescued.
Sees COIdeu Rule EOrpnxtnu
Gladstones liberal cabinet was at
tackled sharply in the house of COM
- mons in February, 1871, by the Tories
because of its passive international
policy, and 1t was urged to protect
poor. conquered France against the
exorbitant demands of Germany.
Gladstone was able to rescue his
cabinet, but he was compelled to beg
the German chancellor to reduce the
indemnity. Bismarck had demanded
six but expected only five billion
francs and he said then that England
expected an exhibition of humani-
tartan feelings from all other powers,
but never exhibited any herself toward
her opponents.
Even the greatest admirer of Eng
land must admit this in view of what's
happened in Ireland, India, Egypt and
, the Transvaal. The memories from
1871 show us that the 18th of July
in Westminster was not the premier
of a new play, but merely new stage
setting of an old one. Now a tory
cabinet is being urged to protect poor
of her French victors. Whoever be-
lieves that the city of London is
moved to expect that the end of the
Ruhr conflict would end England's
Intelligence of the British. Every one
knows that. reparations, the Ruhr.
and exchange rates are merely symp-
toms and that a recovery OF British
trade cannot be found in Europe.
Balance of Power.
In 1871 intervention was not due to
the fear that Germany's possession of
the iron ore of Lorraine would make
her a dangerous rival, and, similarly,
today political and not economic rea-
sons are behind the British move. In
both instances 1t is a question of
both cases a weakening of continen-
tai power Is welcomed, but no new
power must arise which will not bow
70 Britain's decision. France has the
biggest army. the strongest subma-
rine force and air fleet. From Calais
and, in alliance with Belgium. also
from the Flanders coast, in the Is
lamic orient and in the Mediterra-
mean. where she holds Toulon and
Marseille and strives for the domi-
nation of Tangier. opposite Gibraltar,
she can become much more dangerous
for Britain than in the times of Joan
of Arc and Napoleon. Hence France
is publicly petted by Britain's left
hand while the right hand is busy
saving off the legs of Frances wood
en- throne.
Danger in Southeast.
The murder Of Premier Stambou-
lisky Of Bulgaria and the replacement
of his cabinet with nationalistic
and anti-Serbian cabinet is a danger
to the French defense in the south
east. In conference with the Turks,
Spaniards and Italians. France feels