Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-12
BY FRANK SIMONDS.

land and naval armament should re- |
call the compromises made over colo |
NAL differences almost a quarter of a |
century ago, which was the prelude to |
the formation of the entente cCrdiale /
and the preface to that association of |
france and Great Britain which in the |
end led to the overthrow Of Germany. |
At the close of the World War and |
during the peace conference differences |
in interest led to the breakdown of |
Anglo French cooperation. This coll |
lapse was alike disastrous to the two |
countries directly involved and ruinous |
for Europe. 1t led by rapid stages to |
the occupation Of the Ruhr Not until |
nearly six years after the German sur |
render did both British and French !
statesmen and public perceive that the !,
security and prosperity of the two ma
tions were ineXtricably Commingled, !
and that. save in agreement, France
could not be safe and British economic /
life could not proceed normally.
France Guards Own Security.
In reality the dispute disclosed the
fact that France was determined TO
guard her own security even II the
measures she employed led directly to
the prostration of Europe and the para
lying of British trade and commerce. |
During the Lloyd George period British
public opinion was not willing or able
to perceive that French adherence to
such a policy could not be terminated
in any other way than by a British
recognition of the right of France to
be secure and the necessity that Brit
ain contribute to the removal of legiti-
mate French apprehensions.
Lloyd George believed it was possible
to disarm France and destroy her posi-
ton on the Continent. In giving effect
to this idea he sought assistance against
France in Washington. Rome, and even
Berlin. Although he was driven out of
power before it occurred, the occupa-
ton of the Ruhr was the natural re-
suit Of the Georgian policy. The eco
nomic and political collapse of Europe,
which this French operation threat
ened, forced British craftsmanship to
take a new turn, and by fortunate
circumstance the first steps were taken
by a Labor government-that is, by
the party in Britain which was nat
urally least sympathetic with France.
Relations Strengthened.
Step by step this new policy has led
to tightening the bonds between the
two nations Locarno was the crown
ing circumstance in the guarantee of
French security. Thereafter British
military, naval and financial resources
we're committed to the maintenance of
the status quo on the Rhine. which in
volved the insurance by British forces
Of French and Belgian integrity. Norl-
tnaily this contract also guaranteed
German integrity. but In reality Ger
many was the single state which he'd
reason to challenge the existing Situa
ton.
The second step was more difficult.
When the British and American guar
antee of French security. which Wood |
row Wilson and Lloyd George had I'M |
dertaken at Paris. fell through because /
of the failure of the United States /
Senate to accept the treati2s Wilson /
had signed in Paris, France proceeded /
to make a series of defensive alliances /
with Poland and the countries which /
today constitute the little entente /
namely. Jugoslavia. Czechoslovakia and |
Rumania. Since Germany and her
former allies were put under durcSs to /
remain practically disarmed. this COM
bination assured 10 France, as the
major partner. practical control OF u
the considerable European armies save
those of Soviet Russia and of Italy.
This association. which Belgium, by /
her situation, was naturally forced to /
join. was doubly diStastsful 10 the 1
British. because 1t gave to France prac-
tical political hegcmony in Europe.
while ii equally insured the maints-
nance of a military establishment in /
France which. in effect If not in design.
menaced Britain For two details in
the French system air force and SUBJ
marines. constituted an equal threat of
British security.
Aimed at Alliances.
Thus British policy, by indirection,
continued to aim at the destruction of
the French system Of alliances and at
a restriction of ornaments which would
reduce French military and naval
strength. The Washington conference.
which seemed In American eyes an at
fair of simple disarmament, invited by
American craftsmanship. was in real
ity, because of British policy, equally In
tended to reconcile British, Japanese
and American naval policies and to en-
list American support for the British
policy of disarming France.
Both in the matter of alliances and
that of disarmament. however. British
policy has failed Indeed, the crisis in
Anglo-RuSsian relations led to re-
verSal of British policy In the matter
OF Poland. which, as the most consider
able French ally, had been the chief
target OF British policy Moreover the
dispute over naval matters between
London and Washington. which led 10
the failure of the Geneva conference
last year. indicated that there was
little chance of American support of
British policy directed against France,
save as Britain was prepared to accept
American naval theses which were
wholly repugnant TO British naval con-
ceptionS.
After the failure Of the Geneva con-
ference then II was both logical and
inevitahle that Britain should turn to
France and seek IN direct discussion
TO arrive at compromise In questions
under dispute and in which II was now
evident that France could not be forced
TO accept British views Moreover. one
must also recognize that while Britain
had been seeking 10 compe, French ac- !
ceptance OF British conceptions founded
on British interests, she was herself !
under pressure 10 accept American
policies,
Favor Volunteer System,
The key Of the whole Anglo French
difference lay in the question of milf
tary strength. and at the root OF Brit
iSh purpose lay the wish 20 compel
France to abandon the system OF cou- =
scription and adopt the Anglo Amet-
can method. which mad been impU--d
upon Germany by the treaty OF Yer
Sailles the method disclosed III the vol
unteer system Along with this went
the desire 90 force France % agree to
the outlawing of the submarine, a prof. I
eet which had failed because of Ameri- |
can opposition at Washington in 1921 !
Now. by virtue Of the latest Anglo {
French agreement, Britain abandonS her
opposition 10 the French system Of ma c
tiouai armament This means that n
Britain recognizes the right OF France
TO fix both the limits pf her military Il
establishment and the form by which 4
II shall be recruited And 1t means /