Evening star., 1923-08-05
The Story the Week Has Told

mary exchange Of opinions between the allies
the lines foreshadowed by these letters
before any effective step be taken for
terminating the present situation"
Now l cannot but think that Mr.. Baldwin's
not marked by the delicacy and precision lin
statement before it's adjournment Immediately
after debate on the statement it adjourned
due consideration of the French and Bells
en anq bs of the Bssh t state the
French and Belgian governments publication
governments have I " understood. @ ass assented al
Tending such publication, have the resume
issued bS sS ne he Of and
French letter of July 80. The following is the
while nothing should be done inconsistent
sailles, advantage would be derived from
examination by impartial experts in cooper
alton with. the reparations commission into
Germanys capacity for payment;
by the German nlS,o government n the draft reply
went on to point out that the economic value
upon factors of which the German memoran-
dunn had made no mention. such as stabiliza-
man budget, and that no guarantees eould
be effective unless provision were made for
man financial administration:
The draft reply ended by advising the Ger
the inquiry: to withdraw without further de-
lay the ordinances and DEGREES which had or
resistance: and unequivocally to disavow the
acts of violence and sabotage which had in
the belief that such action on the part of
Germany would involve reconsideration by
the occupying powers of the conditions of the
occupation and a gradual return to the normal
features of Industrial life in the Ruhr:
In covering note with the draft reply.
his majestys government gave fuller explana-
tions of the views which they held on all
these points. and they urged upon they allies
that interallied discussions should be opened
celebrating a comprehensive plan Of a gen
eral and final financial settlement"
The French letter tif the French resume
is to be accepted) clearly sets forth the
Franco Belgian intentions regarding the Ruhr
occupation.
termination not TO relinquish the productive
guarantees" they have seized in the Ruhr-
They will evacuate the Ruhr only pari passu
with reparauons payments. IT,. however
Germany ceases passive resistance" they will
thereupon Immediately modify the occupa-
tion. so far as may be compatible with the
safety of the civilian agents and the execu-
tion of their central purpose of collecting
The French letter deIicately states that if
the British government would simply make
known to the reich that it d dSapproYts of of
be Strengthened out"
The Importance of this suggestion cannot
be overestimated. The French and Belgians
desire (for what would be its immense moral
effec). British participation in an unquali-
fled condemnation of Germany's passive resist
The British draft reply does not CON
denim the German policy. at most IT calls for
disavowal of ''acts of violence and sabotage
which have in some cases accompanied It :
and il joins to it's advice" a loose pledge
of compensation in case of its acceptance. In
the Franco Belgian view only unconditional
German surrender in the Ruhr can furnish a
sound basis for negotiation
The French government in its letter de-
clares itself completely in accord with the