Evening star., 1924-04-06

In point of fact, and I state the thing
for what it is worth, have heard here
a surprising amount % talk about the
need Of Franco-G erman cooperation
and non about the need OF keeping
Germany weak, or of preventing a new
war by elaborate and conceivably
war provoking measures. France does
not desire more trouble; she is dog
tired of all debates, discussions and
conferences, disiIlusioned. bitterly dis
il1uSioned both in the matter of
money and security, about as little
in the temper of Imperialism as a
miner is in the condition for a fight
after twelve hours underground at
work.
Now the Frenchman thinks of Poin-
care as a lawyer and not a new or
near Napoleon; he still thinks that in
handling the French case Poincare
has proven the best counsel so far,
despite many grave mistakes; but al
ways conceding this, he is quite anxi-
Gus to have NJ. Poincare produce re-
suits and will not continue his con-
fidence indefinitely. If Poincare lasts
until election, If he lasts after the
election, it will be because there is a
feeling that it would be unwise to
change horses at the river; that is,
that with the'expert commission about
TO report and program of settle
ment to be presented, France would
be badly hadicapped il she INDUCED
in domestic political revolution.
But Poincare must have a solution,
that is the price of power for him.
He cannot, even if he would, wage
war upon the report of the Dawes
commission; he must, rather adopt 1T
and claim that it's achievement is his
own since he was responsible for it's
appointment He must, moreover, get
for 1T the unanimous Endorsement of
the reparations commission. His play,
his obvious play, must be. however.
to manage things so that the report
of the Dawes commission is in the
hands of the reparations commission
at the moment of election. Then he
can ask a new mandate to finish what
has already been brought far toward
success, namely, settlement.
Against Isolation Idea.
Beyond lies the vista of a real in
ternational conference preceded by
a personal meeting between Mac
Donald and Poincare. But again it
must be appreciated that we are no
longer in the period when Poincare
could flout Lloyd George, Bonar Law
or Stanley Baldwin. France is in no
mood for a great game of isolationist
politics; she is really, in my judg-
ment. In no state of mind favorab BILE to
playing a great role in the world at
the expense of her home peace.
France, as l see her at the moment, is
desperately sick of responsibilities of
the great power game and not in the
least willing to keep that form of
show up beyond the minimum of ne
cessity.
Want British Friendship.
Macdonald, coming into power in
Britain, has not only exercised a pro-
found influence upon British opinion,
but he has similarly affected French.
The French do not want trouble with
upon British apprehension growing
out of French aircraft. The desire
for peace in France is at least as i'm
pressive as it is in England. And NJ.
Poincare will be expected to get on
with MacD0Nald because Macdonald
has succeeded in getting French con-
fidence at the precise moment when
the desire for real understanding
with Great Britain is perhaps the
dominant impulse in the French mind.
/ do not think any decisive number
of Frenchmen really believe an under
standing with Germany is possible,
but most Frenchmen feel sure that
if there is an understanding with
Britain, Germany will pay, will be-
have, that now at last there is a
chance of settlement-of peace. Criti-
cigrn. recrimination, bitterness with
respect of Britain 1 do not encounter.
Quite frankly I must say j heard
France far more severely censured in
London than I have heard Britain
criticized in Paris. In A. word, 1t is
not a. momea& Of inflated uatlonalisms