Evening star., 1925-07-11
Coolidge Peace Pact Speech
Stirs Up Comment in Europe
Makes american Refusal to Enter Di-
rectly Into Agreement Clear, While
France and Germany Still Argue.

objective of German diplomacy in
making the proposal, since 1t denies
her a free hand on any frontier 1t
does not do her any injury, it does
not change the existing situation to
her disadvantage, it only preserves it
and makes 1t more difficult for her
to obtain any modification in the
east. But the prospect of eastern
modification was, as I have said, the
real attraction of the pact. aside from
the possibility of Fastening as well
as assuring allied evacuation of oc-
cupied Germany.
What remains to be seen now is
whether this latter prospect. the re-
tirement from the Ruhr, which the
French have already announced as
imminent; the evacuation of the Co.
logne area, which will not be delayed
long If the pact is made, and, finally,
some acceleration of the evacuation
of the other two zones will in the end
satisfy Germany's conceptions of what
she should have in the bargain.
Warning to France.
The fact that the French note had
a bad reception in Berlin, and that
the opposition to the pact, particularly
in Nationalist circles, has intensified,
doubtless explains measurably the
Presidents own comment. 1t must
be regarded not so much as an ad-
monition to Germany as an effort to
aid the Luther-Stresemann cabinet
in its present critical situation. 1t
may also be fairly interpreted as car
rying a certain warning to France not
to insist too much upon extreme
rights.
But 1t is a fair assumption that
France will not on any condition re-
sign the right to go to the aid of
Poland or CZechoslovakia, now that
she has obtained the unqualified ap-
proval OF her contention in this re-
gard from the British. Nor will she
consent to any pact which in any
fashion enviSageS or permits any
amendment of the territorial settle
ments of Paris TO the benefit of Ger
many and at the eXpeDse OF her
Polish and Czech allies.
The area for bargaining must be
found within that portion of the
treaty which deals with occupied
areas and possibly with the Sarre
plebiscite. Germany may well hope
to obtain both a Fastening of the
withdrawal of allied troops and an
abandonment of the provision for a
plebiscite in the Sarre Basin. since it
is now clear even to Frenchmen that
this vote would be overwhelmingly
against France. In addition Germany
may succeed in obtaining some guar
antee against further sanctions based
upon her failure to disarm and a
transfer of control of her armaments
to the League Of Nations.
Coolidge Demands Pact.
In a word, while Germany will not
now obtain any ascent, actual or i'm
Piled, to any project to change from
tiers, she can we'll and successfully
demand relief which will make her
again mistress within her own from
tiers and free her from the intolerable
circumstances of foreign occupation.
And it may yet prove that this at
traction will be adequate. although
not before there has been sharp bar
gaining and protracted negotiations.
Meantime Mr.. Coolidge has met the
German proposal that America should
participate directly in the pact by a
double declaration, a definite refusal
to share in the pact in any manner
and a clear indication that the Ameri-
can Government, while not able to
participate, regards the pact as the
single hopeful possibility for Euro
pean adjustment. Such a declaration
must have considerable influence in a
Europe which has many material rea-
sons for desiring to have American
appreciation and therefore American
financial assistance at this time.
Copyright, 1925)