Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-05
REICH DIPLOMACY
SPARS FOR TIME IN
FIGHT WITH FRANCE
Continued From First Pase)

aim aim. of pan-oermans before the World
In May, when Germany and Austria
completely surprised Europe with the
announcement Of their project, Ger
many appeared to have the support not
only Of Russia and Austria but of Italy
Hungary and Bulgaria. and to have the
sympathy Of Great Britain and the
United States
oermanys first diplomatic drives were
toward Rumania and Jugoslavia and
were immediate. Jugoslavia held true
to its French alliance, but Rumania
wavered and made new commercial
treaty With Germany whereby it tended
to enter the German group
To Germany's surprise, however, both
Italy and Hungary, after some hesita-
ton, declared against the Austro-Ger-
man plan, which they feared would
make Germany too powerful in Central
Europe and the Balkans.
France pushed aggressively into the
diplomatic combat thus opened. Its
pressure seems to have centered on
Austria. A leading Austrian bank
failed. France was ready to save It
but only on the condition that Austria
renounce the customs Union. Austria
was wavering when German diplomacy,
supported by British gold, came 70 its
rescue
The French counter attack was
checked, but only temporarily. The
German situation grew suddenly worse.
International bankers lost confidence
The Hoover plan for a years mora
forum on war debts and reparations
was announced. again taking France
completely by surprise This plan was
Interpreted throughout Europe es d.
rectly strengthening Germany against
France.
France Accepts Sullenly.
France. almost completely isolated.
dragged out the negotiations as long as
possible and then sullenly accepted. but
at the same time redoubled its diplo-
matte activities for the purpose OF
breaking its isolation and establishing
its situation.
: France began by offering terms II
Germany. Germany promptly refused
France thereupon opened conversations
with Russia, Italy and Hungary.
A British financial crisis developed,
Gripping Great Britain with respect TO
foreign policy and Fastening the
resignation of the Labor government,
which the French think has been con-
sistently hostile to France Deprived
thus of the possibility of British finan-
cial support. first Hungary and then
Austria began to seek a French
orientation.
The Hungarian government fell.
France took major part Of the new
Hungarian loan and brought to an end
the commercial war between Czecho-
slovakja and Hungary. which had been
poisoning Central Europe for more than
a year.
A Franco Russian commercial treaty
was signed and 10 days ago q Franco
Russian friendship pact was concluded
and is ready for signature.
A Franco Hungarian commercial
treaty has been signed. Similar treaties
are said to be ready between France
and Jugoslavia and France and Ru-
mania, which seems now to be veering
back toward France.
Tendency Of Moves Explained.
The tendency of these French moves
in Central Europe undoubtedly is to-
ward some sort Of Danube confedera-
ton which both economically and
politically would effectively block the
German drive toward the Near East,
unless, indeed. Germany. bv coming to
terms with France, itself joins the
combination.
The tendency Of the Franco Russian
negotiations Is explained by the Ham
treaty alone, says this newspaper. would
deliver Poland over to Russia and Ger
many and make it impossible for France
to 20 to Polands help. France there
fore insists that there must also be
Polish Russian treaty.
But such O treaty would be equivalent
to an Eastern European Locarno and
would mark the complete collapse OF
Germany's eastern policy. The endeavor
of German diplomacy must, therefore.
be to keep Russia from favorins the
French aims.
That German diplomacy Is now act
ing on lines harmonious with the HAM
burger Nachrichten's advice, all observ-
ers agree. It is noted, however. that
the Russian and Polish foreign minis
tiers are still negotiating at Geneva, and
what the outcome will be it Is inpos-
sible to say.
Setbacks Held Temporary.
| According to the Berlin correspondent
Of the London Times, 1.-The possibilities
of German foreign policy seem to be
| contracting. Everything Is combining
| to narrow the issue down to direct
| understanding with France"
Other observers, however, diner from
this Judgment. German circles have
lost no time explaining that the Austro-
German customs union plan Is not
abandoned, but merely postponed. Rus
STA. the Germans declare. will never
make q treaty with Poland. Hungary
italy and Austria, they add, are all still
fundamentally anti-French and favor
able to treaty revision,
tCopyright. 1870