Evening star., 1927-05-16
FRANCO-BR|T|SH
UNITY PREDICTED
Agreement on Balkans Issue
Expected as Doumergue
Visits London.
By CONSTANTINE BROWN. q

News. Copyright. 1927
LONDON. May 16-The roar of
the guns firing royal salute for Pres
ident Doumergue of France this morn
ing at Dover undoubtedly will be heard
as far as Rome and Berlin. The
heads of states cannot pay each
other friendly and neighborly calls
without the object Of the visit being
commented upon as of the highest
political significance" and when that
unfortunate iron rule called the off,
cial protocol demands that their for
eign secretaries should accompany
the president or the king, tongues
are set wagging at once.
President DoumerGue's visit to
London was planned last year. but
was postponed on account of the
English strike and the financial
crisis in France. The quiet and
stabilized situation in both countries
enabled the French President now ITO
cross the English Channel and shake
the British rulers hand.
Balkans Agreement Expected IN
This, at least, IS the official Version
given recently at the foreign office.
Il
ter. They attribute special signifi-
.cance to NJ. Doumeggue'ss visit. a nd
while the official heads OF France and
Great Britain might chat pleasantly
about non -commfttal subjects. For
eign Secretaries Chamberlain and
BRAND will have ample opportunity
to discuss and dispose of burning
questions in international politics.
Well informed quarters expect the
two foreign secretaries will be able
to reach an agreement regarding the
Mediterranean and especially the AL
bantam question. Both London and
Paris have been very uneasy about
the clouds gathering in that section
of Europe, but both have been handi-
capped, by private trea tles--frarce
with Jugoslavia and the British with
Italy--in finding the right solution.
Neither of the two powers is directly
interested in the present quarrel be-
tween the Italians and the JugosiaFs
and both are anxious to avoid war in
the Balkans, but their action cannot
lie similar on account of the binding
treaties. 1t is expected the two for
eign secretaries will find u solution
and be able to present 4 united front
when the row breaks out again.
Seeks Support Against Soviet.
Occupation of the Rhineland is a
question of minor Importance SO far
| as England is concerned. Legal ex'
perts of the foreign office agree. with
| the Germans that there is no reason
why the French force of occupation
should not be greatly REDUCED. For.
eign Minister Triand personally stated
| he favored reduction, but ne met
great opposition among the members
of his own cabinet, including Premier
| Poincare. He will cndeavor to win
| the British to the French cabinet
viewpoint, and according to well in
| formed sources it is likely he will sue
ceed, since the British in their pres
ent Far Eeastern and Russian entan-
clements regard the Franco-German
dispute as of little consequence.
| The British already have won the
| French to their side regarding emma
/ and expect NJ. BRAND to confirm
| their present policy. and in the same
way they expect him to promise iuii
support in the coming dispute win
/ the Russian Soviet, which last week
raid on the Soviet House In LONDON
rendered inevitable.
i