Evening star., 1923-03-11
FRENCH LEN|ENCY
IN RUHR BLAMED
Andre Tardieu Declares Big
Mistake Made in Not
Exerting More Pressure.
SC0FFS AT SPEECHES
DecIareS None of Euronean States.
SC0FFS AT SPEECHES
Declares None of European States
men Are Giving Voice to Their
Real Thoughts.
BY ANDRE TARDIEU,
Former French High Com missioner to
the United States.

BY ANDRE TARDIEU,
Former French High Com missioner to
the United States.
By Gable to The Star.
PARIS March 10.-Regardless of
the many speeches that have been
made, the Ruhr problem today goes
directly to the very root of the war.
Germany still tries to defeat the ef-
fort to compel her to meet her OBJ
legations. She will not be able to do
90.
Speeches are being spread through
the various countries as gas was
during the war. Cuno began it. Bonar
Law continued it. The reichstag has
given free reign to the eloquence OF
its members. Only the French cham
Der is silent.
1t seems needless to say that these
speeches will not change the situa
ton. ! will go further and recall
what said a month ago about pussy
footing. Everybody is holding back
their real thoughts and purposes
The situation is not much changed
from what it was in January. 1t now
is very evident that tremendous err
rorS of foresight were made bv both
the Germans and the French in the
beginning. Poincare, as his speech
of January IL shows, thought that the
seizure of Essen would compel
prompt capitulation. Instead he met
with the initiation of IA policy of
passive resistance.
Both Made Mistakes.
Tho workers and magnates were
united and it was only after many
days of wasted effort that Poincare
decided to take measures to meet the
oil too.
fully as great. Cuno was convinced
that il France and Belgium had to
act alone then mediation from some
source would be sure to follow.
He wanted either America or Eng
land to act His hope was disap-
pointed, for Washington maintained
a prudent silence and, while the
british ministers made many speeches,
they only sought to explain the diff
Guilty instead of suggesting any
solution.
These mistaken expectations ex-
plain the stagnation of the task. Two
months ago many prophesied violent
outbreaks when the troops entered
Essen. Eight weeks have elapsed
without anything of the sort hap
pening. 1t is true that meanwhile
France and Belgium have accom-
pliShed nothing.
The world, rendered anesthetic by
the shock Of war. still is unable to
react as previously. It's nerve CEN
terS are numb.
Financial Domination.
The world likewise is suffering to-
day from the domination of financial
interests over general interests The
liberals throughout the world have
been urged to demonstrate against
the Franco Belgian movement in the
Ruhr to collect what is lawfully owed
them. But the real interests served
by such action are the Ruhr mag
mates. We are criticized for seeking
70 collect what is owed us by force.
but doesn't everybody realize that the
great banks, whose funds consist
largely of Germau deposits. fear our
action will fnjure them by convert
ing these funds into reparations pay
ments?
The British kindly tell US we are
going to ruin ourselves in the Ruhr,
but simultaneously many British pa
pers point out that a union between
the Westphalian coke and French ore
would threaten British industry.
l mention these contradictions be-
cause 1 don't like being the dupe of
words. People criticize US in the
name of great principles, but usually
1t Is only because great interests are
threatened. If since 1920 we had
been given moral and political help
to make Germany pay we wouldn't
be in the Ruhr today.
Not Enough Pressure.
The simple truth is that yesterday
when wo were trying negotiations
nobody cared whether we were paid
or not. Nor do they today while we
are applying pressure. The recon-
structton of Europe is phrase that
has been used against US time and
again. and yet 1t is only a blind cove
erins the coalition and desires of
private interests.
The inextricable difficulty of the
present case has two sides First.
Frances unbelievable lack of energy
In insisting on her treaty rights since
1920 and this same feebleness today
OF not using sufficient pressure and
SO prolcnging the agony; second, the
inexcusable Indifference of the Anglo
Saxon countries concerning the just
claims of invaded countries. So long
as these two evils continue uncor-
rected no final solution is possible.
Perhaps you find me too brutally
frank, but as you want my opinion,
there 1t is.
Copyright, 1921