Evening star., 1923-10-29
CONFERENCE HELD
ECo''0PE'S ONE HOPE
BY A. G.. GARDINER.

BY Cable to The Star.
LONDON, October 29.--Moral forces
at last have come to grip with the
material and the result is awaited
with confidence. II France had re-
jected the appeal for conference on
reparations she would have become
morally isolated.
Publication of the correspondence
between London and Washington Gre
ated profound satisfaction in London.
Secretary Hughes statement was re-
garded as wise, just and enormously
helpful, and it was anticipated that
its effect on France would be most
important
Last Chance for Europe.
The conference is the last. chance
to save Europe from utter wreck 1t
commits no power, but it will give
light where darkness now reigns, and
Its moral effect will be decisive. It
Will set out to ascertain facts-first,
what Germany has paid; second, how
much she can pay, and, third, how
she must pay.
The appeal to NJ. Poincare to come
into conference and save Europe
was most impressive. cordial and
K.
any case. Great Britain could not
stand by and consen- to the destrut.-
ton OF Germany was firm and en-
phatic.
impression as a result of his inter
View with NJ. Poincare in Paris that
II passive resistance We're with
drawn the rigor of the Ruhr occu-
the pressure has been intensified.
The view gains ground that the
French realize now that the Ruhr ad-
venture has killed the reparations
to make sure that Germany is de-
stroyed past the possibility OF re-
covery. That apparently is the line
on which the coming elections. which
govern everything. are to be fought.
Results of Policy. - -.
Can the civilized world consent TO
look on while this tremendous crime.
which condemns Europe to ruin and
, eternal war. is consummated? Is Mr..
Poincare. in order TO win an election,
to be permitted to make millions Of
starving victims for England and
America to feed and keep alive or
leave to perish? .--I
That is the question involved in the
problem of the proposed conference.
1t is the only expedient by which Eu-
rope can hope to escape tragedy
1t is the only expedient. also, by
which any hope of securing repara-
tions remains.
Mr.. Baldwin's speech Thursday
night confirmed the impression that
Gen. Smuts spoke with the authority
of the government when he attacked
the Polncare policy and announced
probable conference. Then came pub
lication of the correspondence dis
closing Lord CurZons invitation to
Secretary Hughes.
Apparently the imperial confer
ence has forced the hand of the Brit
ish government and has helped the
premier oyerawe his die hard fac
ton Gen. Smuts has made
strong impression on his overseas
colleagues, and undoubtedly the i'm
! stand against the French policy. Aus
tralia, South Africa and Canada all
are suffering from destruction OF
their European trade and they realize
that there is no hope OF recovery
while Poincare keeps stranglehold
on the German jugular.
Conditions In Germany.
Meanwhile, the condition OF Ger
many creates profound alarm. The
writer has just seen several American
and English visitors just returned
from the Ruhr. They give appalling
forecasts for the Forthcoming winter.
Five million people are doomed to
famine conditions unless immediate
relief is forthcoming. The situation
Is hardly better In Berlin. The morale
of the people is breaking down under
the strain OF hunger, panic and fear.
The separatist attack on the Rhine
| land appears to have failed temporar-
| lily. and France has hesitated to give
the movement official support though
the evidence is overwhelming that
French money and French influences
are behind It.
Copyright, 1921