Evening star., 1923-07-26

=
ernment and the destruction of the
RENTER by the instrument of inf1a-
tion and her bourgeois humiliation
beyond the Rhine of old forms OF
society and the advance OF new
Great Britain, but these matters
which threaten France. Our instru-
ment for making her see them must
we state and act upon our own pre-
vision. This may bring us into open
opposition to the government OF
France. But we cannot succeed in
we thus create serves to awaken
the alarm of France, not towards US
who in the last resort will remain
passive. but towards what Is really
alarming.
While we alarm France We must
reassure Germany. Mr.. Poincare is
calculating upon the early collapse
Of the German resistance and he may
be right. He is delighted that Mr..
baldwin should exhaust time In exer-
that meanwhile events will settle
themselves ia his favor.
Hope Germany Stands.
British opinion does not reckon
enough with this possibility or face
with sufficient frankness the need to
encourage w e uOu want
German resistance to break down.
Lord CurZon would regard the fall
Of Cuno's government and capitula-
tion in the Ruhr as the worst news
he could receive.
The more slowly we move with
| France, the moro necessary it is to
give some slight comfort to Germany
and render a little support to the
prestige of her existing regime. 1t
is difficult to do this in manner
which Is not distasteful. Important
sections OF British opinion and Ger
many must be content. therefore.
with a few hints gathering her com
fort more from what Mr. Baldwin
did not say than from what he did
1t is impossible for Great Britain to
he strictly neutral in the matter OF
the Ruhr unless she remains passive
land gives up the idea of having Il
| France in the Ruhr, we must admit
| that this means giving at least indi-
| rect encouragement to Germany.
British opinion moves from its old
moorings very slowly, very reluc-
tantly and not at all. unless the prog
ress of events compels il.
| This is the tactical strength Of Mt
iPoincare's position--he can still trade
on the capital Of the past. can still
| be outrageous with impunity by
! of old loyalties. But il the British
public becomes convinced beyond
doubt that he does not deserve their
confidence, the balance of European
politics will suffer extraordinary
! change. Great Britain has never yet
since the .armistice exercised her
| authority because she never felt suf-
| ficiently certain where the true course
lay. This passivity. based on doubt
rather than weakness, has bred an
illusion In France as to the weight
of such authority If it Is used.
! The Immediate danger while diplO-
macy follows its slow and winding
course springs from the weakness OF
Germany-from the deterioration OF
her economic life and present men
effect of the Ruhr occupation is Gu
mulative and gets worse by lasting
longer mainly because of the enor-
nous expenditure in which the sup
port OF the Ruhr industriallsts and
workers involves the Berlin govern
| ment.
Taxing by means of imitation is
now almost the only serious source
of revenue. They used to raise in
this way the equivalent of about
ing to raise from it nearly $4,000. .ooO
| a week. The result is complete
breakdown of the currency and 8
point may soon arrive when enough
carry on the government and sup
port thte Ruhr resistance, however
many notes may be printed
| That is to say, the Berlin govern
| ment may become literally bankrupt
The inevitable difficulties Of the situa-
| tion are rendered worse by the facts
that the financial direction of head
| quarters is weak and that the old.
| fashioned management of the reichs-
bank is not equal to its new prob
lens. The only favorable factor is
| the time of the year-with a new har.
4
| still some months away.
| Meanwhile, half the population is
! torn and divided against itself by
| fierce political dissensions and the
other half is apathetic. Neither ma.
| tionalists nor industrialists nor com.
| mise which now governs can COM
mand the enthusiasm of generous anG
| independent minds.
| The national spirit fiickers and
burns nowhere with pure flame
Disgust, disillusion and despair have
! Joined, to weaken the sense of public
| spirit. The most significant feature OF
modern Germany is to be found in the
| inclination of its youth to avert their
| minds altogether from the politica
| and economic problems of their coun.
try, to abandon real politik in toto, tc
become indifferentists to nationa
questions and to find elsewhere the
springs Of activity and enthusiasm.
NJ. Poinctres confidence that Ger.
man resistance can be broken down is
therefore, not without some grounds
Naturally. he Is content that the dip
lomatic situation should develop a.
| slowly as possible. So long as he car
maintain the status quo without con
ceding anything substantial he will
doubtless do what he can to avoid ar
abrupt breach. He reckons that di
vided opinions in the cabinet and the
tory party may cause Mr.. Baldwin t
move so slowly that he may be tot
late.
| Copyright. 1928 the New Republic. PubIishe,
| by arrangement with the New Republic)
|
YYUYNH r0cT uYHuTp