Evening star., 1928-06-16
FRANCO-GERMAN
ALLIANCE IS SEEN
Defensive Military Pact Plan
Reported as Aid to Trade
Rapprochement.
BY PAUL SCOTT MowRER.

PARIS. June 16.--Not only have
France and Germany in the last three
years become good friends and indus
trial allies, but there is even talk in
frehch and German manufacturing
circles OF a hard ard fast defensive
alliance. which would cement
one Of the strongest political coYnblna-
tons ever formed and enable France
and Germany together to talk on a
OASIS OF equality with Great Britain
on the one hand and the United States
on the other.
This important revelation has lust
heen made by the well known German
manufacture. Arnold Rechberg. Ac-
cording to Herr Rechberg, negotiations
we're being conducted chiefly through
Emil Meyrisch, the Luxembourg steel
magnate and head ~ the Franco-Ger-
man steel cartel. who was killed a
few weeks ago in an automobile acct
dent. The conversations apparently
are continuing.
The Meyrlsch project seems 10 have
enVlSaged a defensive military alliance
Of France. Germany and Belgium. each
country undertaking TO aid the other
with It's fun strength against attack
from whatsoever direction NumericaI-
ly the French army would be to the
German in the proportion OF FIVE 10
three-that Is to say, II France had
100000 men, then Germany would
have 100000. A common general staff
would be formed. With the right 20
make military inspections in both cotln-
tries, and the duty 10 plan a common
defense In advance against all con-
tingencies.
Industry Would Participate.
Finally, French industry would be al
lowed TO participate in the armament
OF the German Army in the proportion
OF Is per cent. This feature Of the
project was designed to win the sup
port Of the French steel magnates. But
the German steel magnates would also
be interested, for they would then be
authorized TO supply much larger guam
titles OF armament than under the pres
ent German disarmament regime.
Although there Is apparently little
chance for the conclusion Of anything
like an actual Franco-German political
alliance at the present time, there Is
not the slightest doubt that the Franco
German rapprochement already has
gone much further than most people
realize. Several grave problems remain
TO be solved. but the entire atmospE1ere
is so changed and so changing that the
possibilities of solution even OF cues
tons like the Rhineland occupation.
the reparations total, Germany's east
ern frontiers and disarmament may be
less far removed than is generally mag
ined
The first step in the rspprochament
was an industrial alliance which. begin
ming with the potash trust. has been
followed successfully by the steel. cleo
trical and chemical cartels. the efTec:
Of which is 10 make essential industries
OF Germany and France completely Il
terdependent.
Cultural Relations Resumed.
For some time there has been az
sumption of close cultural relation
German tourists are as welcome il
France as any others and so are tn
French in Germany The interchang
Of lecturers, musicians. art exhibits lit
erature and films Is encouraged by both
governments.
Under the influence Of the govern
ment. the newspapers Of both countries
continually ignore or diminish the I'M
portance of untoward events which. a
few years ago. would have stimulated
floods OF bitterness.
The rapprochement will seemingly be
further encouraged by the recent gen.
eral elections. In both countries the
extreme right tends 10 nourish the ira
ditional hatreds. while the left favors
friendship. The industrial alliance.
however, is weakening the resistance
of the extreme nationahsts. for the
manufacturers influence tends 10 dom
mate the right groups.
In Germany Foreign Minister Strese-
mann, who belongs to the industrialists'
party, will probably remain foreign
minister. Just as Aristide BRAND re-
mains foreign minister of France. Il Is
precisely these two who from the first
have been the principal artisans OF rap
prochement Upon them will devolve.
probably next September. the duty OF
facing the grave problems which re-
main.
Rhine First Problem.
The first of these problems is the
RhlneIand occupation. The Germans
demand premature evacuation OF the
occupied territory. France still heSi-
tateS.
The second problem is reparation.
The Germans demand that the total
sum due under the Dawes plan be fixed
without more delay. The French heSi-
tate.
The third problem is the Polish cor
ridor" which cuts East Prussia from
the rest Of Germany. Germany de-
mandS peaceful revision of this frontier
France Is opposed 10 revision.
The fourth problem is disarmament.
Germany claims under the Versailles
treaty that France and other coun-
tries must diSarm TO the same extent
as Germany. now that peace is assured
by Locarno and the League OF Nations.
The French insist on additional guar
antees before reducing their army.
None OF these questions now appears
inSoluble and all. indeed. are tending
To lose their former acuity.
The new type OF army, composed en-
tirely of specialists, and evolved by the
German Gen. Won Seeckt, seems al
ready to have decreased the dispropor-
ton IN the military strength OF France
and Germany and in any case, as Herr
Rechoerg points out. general polti-
cal agreement would inevitably lead 10
a military understanding.
Italy, the United States and Great
Britain are all strongly interested IN
thiS situation. Italy obviously will do
everything IN Its power 10 prevent a
franco German alliance. The United
states Is involved in connection With
ootn disarmament and reparationS. 70
say hotnlng OF the pact outlawing war
III Herbert Hoover is elected President
II is believed he will give particular
heed To the possible effect Of Franco
German cartels on our foreign trade.
VATICAN R0USES SPANISH