Evening star., 1926-06-13
FRENCH PRESIDENT
TO VISIT ENGLAND
High Importance Attached to
Trip, NominaIIy to Repay
Kings 1914 Call.
BY WILLIAM BIRD.
By Radio to The Star.

BY hAulo 10 Inc S"ar.
PARIS, June 12.-Perhaps the most
important event in Anglo-French re-
lations since the war VIII take place
within a fortnight when President
Doumergue pays an official state
visit to King George and Queen Mary
of England.
Little has vet been said about this
impending occasion, although prepara
tionS have been under way on both
sides for several weeks and hopes are
entertained that it will prove fruitful
in better relations between the two
countries.
Officially. the visit is for the purpose
of returning the state visit paid by
King George and Queen Mary 10
President Poincare in 1914. On that
occasion. which was only feW
months before the outbreak of the
war. Paris almost literally went mao
with enthusiasm. and during their few
days stay in Paris the streets We're
blocked with throngs anxious to catch
a glimpse of the royal guests as they
drove through the city in gllded state
coaches.
Had Effect on War.
The writer well remembers being
caught in a. jam one night IN the
Place Vendome when dense crowd
hacked that Immense square SO tightly
that scores were crushed and only by
a miracle were numerous casualties
avoided. That spontaneous reception
helped greatly to cement the entente
cordiale, and undoubtedly contributed
heavily toward bringing England INTO
the war on Frances side.
President Doumergue goes to Lon
don at a difficult moment. Two things
In particular mar his trip. The first
IS the insecure position of the French
Royernment-for nobody yet knows
whether the BRAND cabinet will still
be standing when he goes. Every ef-
fort Is being expended TO bring about
a truce among the parties and FAC
tions until the state visit ls over. SUI
1t is quite within the realm of possibll-
ity that such efforts will prove vain
and that President Doumergue. on
the eve of his departure will find hl1n.
self entangled in a web OF political
intrigue. Even if NJ. BRAND remains
in power, the situation will be unstable
and the Presidents stay IN LONDON
will be haunted by thoughts or the
uncertainties at home.
The other difficulty is the fact that
the Franco British debt settlement
still is unsigned. Many Frenchmen
believe that the visit, on this account,
is untinely and feel that in the midst
of it's tragic difficulties over the mine
lockout, Great Britain Will CONSIDER
the visit Of its chief debtor nation
singularly out of place.
President Is Tactful.
But M. Doumergue is a man of un-
usually attractive character. tie has
kept aloof from party struggles ana
international quibbles, Contenting him
self with smiling affably, and 1t Is
practically certain that he will win the
British heart completely. Wherever
he goes IN England, the crowds Will
not fail to be impressed by his known
eeniality. and should debt negotiations
follow or coincide with his visit there
is great probability that such nego.
tiatfons would be favorably influenced
by his presence.
II has not yet been determined what
members of the cabinet will accom-
nanv the President. 1t is almost GER
tain that the minister of foreign al
fairs (now NJ. BrianD will make the
trip. but 1t is question whether the
minister of finance will join the party.
Should the minister OF finance go, 1t
is a safe bet that debt negotiations
will he carried -on during Nj. Doum-
erpue's presence in London, and with
every prospect of success this time,
although French leaders declare that
despite the American precedent no
settlement is possible with England
unless a. safety clause is included per
mitting revision of the agreement II
Cermany's payments fail to produce
the expected sums.
Copyright. 1866