Evening star., 1924-03-09
FEARS FALSE HOPES
FROM NOTE EXCHANGE
Tardieu Holds None of Funda-
mental Differences Are
Near Solution.
FEELING GROWS BETTER
Holds That Both Premiers Are
Sincere in Efforts.
BY ANDRE TARDIEU.

By Radio to The Star. 500,
(The impression has been grow
ing on this side Of the Atlantic that
the recent exchange Of letters be-
tween the two premiers had brought
Great Britain and France nearer an
understanding. But Andre Tardieu
warns Americans in his dispatch to-
day against being misled by appear
ances. Unfortunately, he says, the
two countries are as far apart as
ever in the fundamental. difference
Sf their viewpoints.)
PARIS, March S.--One is reluctant
to say anything which might dimin-
ish the agreeable impression of good
will produced by the letters ex-
changed between Premiers Macdon-
are sincere when they say a Franco
British accord is necessary to Euro
pean peace. But such an accord,
they realize, being a political matter,
cannot result from A Simple aIhrma-
tion of common hopes. 1t must pass
into the domain OF realities by set
ting. some Oh the disputes now out
standing petw cen the two nations.
In this respect it must be admitted
that the TWO Countries are no further
advanced than before. For II the de-
velopment OF FRANCO British relations
during the last iour years are re-
viewed two facts will be perceived
which are as itkely to be true to-
morrow as yesterday-frst, that both
governments Always were lin COM
plete agreement on the question of
law. and, second, they never have
agreed on appilcatten OF said law.
None Would End Treaty.
Not single British minister-ex-
cept Arthur henderson, who was
quickly disavowed-has demanded
sallies nor has favored leaving Ger
many armed nor suggested excuSing
her lSom reparailons payments. But
the minute there is question of
effectively controlling Germany'S
armamentS or establishing sched-
uie OF payments or taking measures
to Collect SuaS due there is dis
agreement all a,ong the line, ana
consequently nothing is accom-
plAled.
Mr.. Macdonald's letter spoke rather
diSdainfully o. what he calls sub
sidiary questions. But it is to be
reared these questions may prove
surprisingly important, for, like the
greater questions, they are dominated
by fundamental disagreement which
his letter denneS but uoeS not remove.
Frenchmen find in Mr.. Macdonalds
letter all the arguments they have
.
signatures. The letter might have
been signed by Lloyd George, Bonar
Law. Balfour or Curzon without
changing a comma
Difference In Viewpoint.
1t holds that France, by insisting
on making Germany pay, Is disor-
ganlzing Europe and causing British
Unemployment. France replies that
England, by failing to INSIST On Ger
1nan execution OF the treaty, is re-
sponsible for continental disorder,
which reacts on British industry.
II is just case of you're an
other"
In vain Pioncare's and Macdonald's
letters are searched for any hint in
the way OF reconcillng the funda-
mental difference. obviously these
two gentlemen have taken great
pains TO express their disagreement
in the most cordial terms. But in so
doing they have done nothing but
make that disagreement stand out
more clearly than ever.
Does tnat mean an accord is i'm
possible? No. In 1919 this same
fund,.4iientai difference of viewpoint
already existed, and yet an agree.
men. was reached and the treaty
signed. signed Furthermore. when diff
treaty since that time there has
never been any attempt by France
ana England to rise above technical
differences an dput the discussion on
. plane OF national interests
Previous Settlement.
There have been disputes about the
Ruhr, the Palatinate and Tangier.
But never have the two governments
tried to do what Lord I.ansdowne
and NJ. Delcasse did in 1909, when
they succeeded in liquidatinE all out
standing differences and brought the
two nations together on common
policy
Would such liquidation produce the
same effects as twenty years ago?
1t is difficult to say yes, but more
difficult to say no without trying,
The original mistake of both nations
was in not clinging to the buoy of
the treaty OF Versailles. which was the
result Of seven months of daily give
and take. Since 1920 frances premiers
have been men who opposed the treaty
and that gave the English an admirable
opportunity to take up again all points
they advanced and then withdrew at
the peace conference.
So, little by little, the work Iabori
ously built has been pulled down.
The time is ripe again for builders
Copyright, 1924. BY the Consolidated Pfsss
- 49, Assoctation.) =.
A.