Evening star., 1923-02-04
PUBLIC DICTATED
US DEBT DECISION
British Cabinet Forced to Ac-
cept American Proposal,
Says Editor.
FRENCH ARE SUSPECTED
Ruhr Invasion Causes Fear of Sc
rious Disagreement Among
Allies.
BY A. G. GARDINER.
Britnin's Greatest Liberal Editor.

BY Cable 10 The Star
LONDON, February 3.-British pub
lie opinion compelled absolute ap-
plan. There was a great sigh Of re-
lief everywhere when It was learned
that the cabinet had accepted.
1t had been rumored that there was
a strong division of the cabinet in
opposition. This was said to have
included the premier. II So the oppo-
sition took fright very thoroughly be-
fore the wave Of public opinion.
Whatever may have been the popu-
lar difference of opinion regarding
the terms. there was only one belief
concerning the course Of action.
With Europe going TO pieces before
their eyes, the sane English feeling
was that nothing must be allowed TO
interfere with Anglo-American rela-
tions. II Europe Is ever to be patch
ed up again. America and England
The Lood feeling between the two ID
the last asset left in a mad world.
French Distrusted.
How mad II is battles description.
do not recall more staggering blow
than that delivered by the report that
Potncare had been engaged in prt-
vate negotiations with the Turk be-
hind the back of the Lausanne con-
ference, 1t was felt that, IL true, the
last rag of pretense of honor in public
affairs was gone and relations with
France must end.
The affair has been promptly ex-
planned away. but a profound express
sion OF disQuietude prevails and pub
lication OF all documents will be nee
essary before confidence can be re-
stored. Undoubtedly the obstin2cy of
the Turks at Lausanne was due to the
conviction that the Franco British
breach over the Ruhr would be wild
ened. leaving France openly support
ing the Turks and the British in op-
position.
The Chanak episode has not been
forgotten and it is impossible to eX-
clude the fear that similar develop
mentment may come from the Ruhr.
1t is superficially inconceivable that
France would wish to make the
breach with England Anal and force
the British government into a posi-
tion of declared hostility. The Ruhr
enterprise hourly grows more omin-
Gus. 1t is rushing Germany toward
unthinkable anarchy. but is produc-
ing no material results for France.
The Lorraine iron foundries all are
stopping through lack OF Ruhr coke
and France is discovering that the
bayonet cannot be substituted for the
pick in coal mining. Meanwhile the
collapse Of the mark is followed by
an ominous fall in the franc II is
notorious that the value Of the franc
has been kept at an artificial level by
every possible device. The slump is
beginning to alarm the nervous IN
vestor and with every new evidence
of the failure Of the invasion the
French government turns the screw
afresh.
The immediate cause OF the failure
is the fact that France has not sue
cceded In capturing the Ruhr worker.
1t was calculated his hostility toward
the Ruhr coal owners and their
prohteering tactics would make him
accept French masters. This corclu-
sion has been entirely baseless. 10y
atty to Germany was more powerful
than hatred OF employers, even among
the RUIZ socialists.
But the lesson emerging is the i'm
possibility Of extracting money out Of
a debtor by beating him to death. IL
you want a bankrupt to pay You, you
must let him live: Poincare has not
, Cant pay. can't he? Then break
every bone in his body. Thatil teach
him to pay"
League IL Helpless.
! How long France will be deluded
with this policy OF mingled frenzy and
folly. who can say? But the signs
are not wanting that illuslonment mas
begun. A significant movement is
that French fnanciers are converting
their wealth into other currencies
Poincare is engaged in race. He
either must produce results or pay
the penalty to an enra8ed and bit
terly disappointed public
When France has sufficiently scorch-
ed herself in her own flame perhaps
something will be done. Meanwhile
| all lockers are helpless at the con
Inaeration. The league Of nations is
helpless. England is helpless. Lau-
same and the Turk tie our hands. II
we do anything about the Ruhr we
shall hear from Angora. So we con-
tinue benevolently neutral. which
means we sit placidly watching the
greatest public crime perpetrated In
the history of Europe crime which
! # not stopped, will soak Europe IN
blood for generations.
| This Infamous paralysis Of the
| moral sense of the world must stop
England and America must act to
save something of European civilfza-
ton. if only for our own selfish in
teres.s. Is history to say the nations
| Of Gladstone and Lincoln sat like
dumb dogs forever while Europe was
converted into a bowling wilderness
! Copyright. 1921