Evening star., 1924-05-18

FRANCE In various nations OF the
world. not excepting the United
States, a nation always looked upon
to defend the French thesis because
Of the peculiar bonds existing be
tween them since the time of the
American revolution.
Domestic Issues Arise.
Peculiar domestic issues naturally
arose in the conduct Of the govern
ment, and during its attempt to I'M
press foreign policies, swiftly arous-
ing the fears of all peoples with
whom France naturally should be
expected to work amicably. Fears OF
the level-headed French people grew,
and 1t is not strange that they should
eventually win at the French polls
and reclaim for France a modicum o,
liberalism declared so essential in
adjudicating international affairs on
the continent That the French
would do it Immediately, however
was surprising. There was little
doubt as to eventual awakening.
But the French people, by casting
their votes for the Left parties, de
cided to call halt to what they con
sidered the imperialist dreams and
Vaccinations of Poincare, which they
considered as leading France to un-
safe grounds and possibly further
wars. Taxation and economic dis
Organization, which figured so largely
in determining their victory Over
Poincareism, were attributed to result
Of the far-lung plans Of nationalist
expansion. Therefore it cannot BE-
said truthfully that the election
was merely the result of local issues
and was not a rebuke to Poincare's
foreign policies.
Compromise Is Expected.
There is little reason to suspect
that any new government that is to
be formed will not protect France.
Neither Herriot or BRAND, the two
men most suggested for the
position Of premier, would consent to
waive the security Of France or It's
financial protection in reparations ar
arrangements. But in the assumption
| Of power by either of the Left lead
ers there will come a period of calm
deliberation among the statesmen OF
various one-time allied powers, where
the spirit of compromise will be more
apparent and from which will come
decisions designed to restore Europe
to normalcy at the earliest possible
date.
i With England and France working
closely together in arrangement OF
the economic and financial fabric o.
the continent and both imbued with
spirit of get-together in practical
| working arrangements with Ger
many. possibly the Dawes plan. then
| real progress will be made. Since
Herriot and Macdonald are close
| friends, since both have espoused
about the same line of reasoning in
working out of International des
tniies, snice both meet on the com
mon ground of socialism, which, il
must be said at this tuncture. is far
| different in Europe than the average
American presumes, it may be ex-
pected that such obstructions TO
agreement as may have been builded
by Poincare will come to an end
The chance of unanimity of opinion
| is excellent. The chance of working
together Indefinitely in adjustments
designed to protect the allied cause
as a whole was never better.
BRAND Not Unreasonable.
Should BRAND assume the reins %
government in France, through Left
party disagreements as to policy,
, thing not unlikely during the course
Of the summer, there is no reason to
suspect that England will be an
tagonized covertly, as was the case
under Poincare, for the reason it was
BRAND who was willing to com
promise prevailing issues with Eng
land two years ago at Cannes and
whose very willingness led TO his
overthrow by Poincare-
Both BRAND and Herriot have
espoused the league OF nations .and
it is believed that the Socialist
French and British governments will
unite in strengthening the leagues
hands. All are committed to the
entrance of the Germans into future
conferences on eventual settlements.
AS a consequence any and all ar
rangements as to the future will take
into consideration the rights of all.
"An era Of internahonalism" already
is predicted in Paris. 1t is exceed
nigty likely that in SO far as settle
ment of vexatious continental prob
| lens are concerned, those which have
deferred progress, economic, social
and financial, for the past two years.
this new era will be realized to the
fullest. At least it may be expected
that the new British and French gov
ernments will drive toward this end
so long as they remain in power.
Political expediency in either ma.
| ton, however. may cause the over
throw Of governments at any june.
ture and, unless plans for practical
settlement are in actual force at the
time Of future governmental changes,
Of course, rehabilitation processes
must get a setback But, with the
overwhelming overthrow of Poincare-
ism in French political and domestic
life, it is believed that all future
courses will be modified by the peo-
pies mandate of last Sunday. "
Selfish nationaIism surely has received
q blow IN France.
According to best informed opinion
| abroad. the day has been ushered in
when the masses will show increas-
ing power in formulating destinies
| of government The French elactiop