Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-03-09
MACDONALD rs DRIVING
FOR PEACE AND ORDER
French Expected to Modify Ruhr Stand
to Gain British Military
Alliance.

general interest of complete under
standing, and at a time when IL
might be to Poincare's best political
interest to say nothing. Unquestion-
ably, Poincare, by insistence upon
fixed reform measures in France ana
his yoicing desire to work in com
pletc harmony with the British view
point, has. improved his position.
though his political enemies are con-
fident that it is but a question Of
time before he is compelled to- sur
render the reins of government to
hands more in tune with the general
soCialiStiC movement to bring the
viewpoints Of various governments
more in line with the general desire
to gain order and peace.
For one thing. the correspondence
Of the allied premiers places the
whole subject of Franco British re
lationS before the public in such
matter as to clear all miSunder-
standings. 1t confidently may be ex
pected that with MISUNDERSTANDING
cleared there will be better chance
of approaching issues and removing
them il statesmen be as DESTROYS Of
SO doing as they have expressed
themselves from time to time.
Other Moves Are Likely.
pressed in some official and diplomatic
circles, the Macdonald letter TO Poin-
care is but part Of the ammunition
of statescraft the British premiel
will fire toward Paris. Other move
may be expected to come thick anu
fast in the general attempt to brin@
the French into line with British
desires. and make more certain az
ceptance of the work of the Dave
financial commission of experts in tn
hope that the whole European finan-
cial and economic mess may b.
cleared up.
allied powers about the lst of April
has been suggested in order thai
they may come to definite under
standing as to the future, not onl!
in regard to future dealings witt
Germany, but in corporation among
them selves. France wants securit!
against ierrnanic aggression as mucis
as she wants money. As u consc-
ouence it is believed that if til"
French government will meet tn.
British government half way IN
reaching an accord, then Englan I
will give military and naval assist
ance to Franco in case Of unwar-
ranted attacks upon France by her
enemies.
Military Alliance Plan
In France it is reported that the
French government will suggest 4
defensive alliance to embrace the
French and British armies, navieS
and air forces. the general command
TO be under the French, the British
to direct various individual branches Of
the prospective defensive war machine.
Such an understanding undoubtcdi.
would go far in appeasing France
fears OF Germanic aggression, but
inasmuCh as the labor government
of England as well as the socialist
elements of other countries are show
ing increasing antagonism to thoS,
things inclined to increase taxation,
burdens Of the people and even pc
tentially threaten warlike activities
there remains some question az to
whether any military alliance can b.
effected. But il is believed that if
France will surrender her present
so-Called guarantees and permit I'll,
working cut of an economic anG
financial plan designed to restor.
the general business balance on tn.
continent. even sociaiistic influence,
will be given ito compromises
Whatever conjecture may be as &
the future. it must be taken as Il
Practical certainty that Macdonald
has opened wider the doors 10 gen
eIal allied accord and subSequen
settlement Of European problem
along the line of common sens,
Nest certainly political buncombt
ard national expectancy will have
less and less bearing upon eventual
courses TO be pursued by the people