Evening star., 1924-03-03
Peacemaking Letters.

Preniers Macdonald and -Poincare
have engaged in an exchange of let
,, ters which should serve to improve
the relations between England and
France. and thereby improve eondi.
ttons In Europe. The British premier,
with remarkable frankness and yet
consideration for French 'sensibilities,
sets forth the grounds for England's g
suspicion Of French motives In main.
tanning heavy ornaments and engag.
ing in armament-encouragin rela-
tions with the smaller powers Of south.
eastern Europe. The French premier,
with equal frankness, declares that
there is no purpose on the part of
France to seek the political destruc.
ton Of Germany or to promote or to
invite war in any quarter of Europe.
Macdonald calls attention to the fact
war an economic devastation compara-
BILE with the physical damage wrought
in France, and declares that it is Eng.
lands right to have a chance to re-
cover her economic health by the
restoration Of tranquility in Europe.
Poincare replies that the British de-
sire for restoration of economic sta.
| bility and the general resumption OF
work IS harmonious with the French
desire for the reparation Of the ma
terial losses of France and the definite
establishment of her security, adding:
Without that peace founded On JUS
tice the commercial and industrial life
which England wishes to see reborn
would unfortunately not be possible" :"
Much good may come from this in
| terchange Of views SO plainly stated
and couched in such a friendly spirit.
Unfortunately the two nations which
bore the brunt of Germany's attack
and which suffered the most severely
of all in the course OF the war have
been drawing apart ever since the
| armistice., Partly through misunder-
standing. but in large part in conse-
quence of the supposed eyigencies of
domestic politics. they have appeared
to be antagonistic in aims and mutual
~ suspicious OF motives.
a breach between England and
France would be a most grievous dis
aster. The loss OF confidence between
them would be dire misfortune. The
| outgrowth of fixed suspicion of mo-
tives would be an invitation to quar-
rels. Their interests in respect to the
peace Of Europe are identical. That
fact is now plainly stated in the Brit
ish premier's letter and frankly
acknowledged in the French premier's 8
reply.
If there is a providential dispensa-
ton in the guidance Of the affairs Of
peoples it is surely manifest in the
peculiar turn of British politics that
has brought to the place of chief au.
thority at this critical juncture a man
who is free Of the trammels of tradi-
ton and capable OF 4 plain, frank, ex-
piicit statement of the case between
the subterfuges and devices of con-
ventional diplomacy. In q case like
the present the labor premier Is free
to act to the end Of restoring better
relations between the two countries
and thereby advancing the cause Of
peace in Europe, regardless Of the fact
that he lacks in parliament definite
and assured majority Of votes. For he
has expressed in his letter only that
! which all England feels without refer
ence to party. Only he has expressed
it in q way to elicit a full acknowledge
ment by France of the righteousness
Of British aims and desires instead Of
arousing resentment. '
A better understanding of the
French position will prevail in Eng.
land in consequence of this CORE.
spondence. and similarly a better un-
derstanding should prevail in France
regarding England's fears and hopes.
And, finally, clearer comprehension
Of her obligations should prevail in
Germany as a result of this closer
drawing together Of the two powers
upon which the burden Of European
peace now rests as did the burden of
war a few years ago.