Evening star., 1932-12-25
BY FRANK H. sIMONDS.

w YHY during the progress OF the
recent debt discussions has
wv Great Britain stood SO close
ly with France? This ques-
ton has been asked over
and over again in political circles IN
Washington. And 1t arises from the
universal recognition that American
public opinion makes a clear distinction
between the cases of the two countries
and pretty generally comedies that
present British difficulties entitle our
chief debtor to special treatment.
Members OF Congress have, therefore.
widely criticized the course of British
statesmen in maintaining close associa-
ton between London and Paris up 10
the moment of the final scene in the
French Chamber. Moreover, the opin-
ion still exists that Britain would be
better advised to separate herself from
all the other debtor nations completely
and approach Washington asking Tor
consideration Of her own difficulties
separately.
All these various opinions, however,
fail to take into account the fact that
the British difficulties are by no means
limited to the debt problem and that
while London is naturally eager to pre-
serve the best possible relations with
perative circumstances to guard against
any break in the common front with
France in Europe. Even a difference
of opinion with America in the matter
of debts now would not to the British
mind prove as disastrous as destruc-
ton of the understanding with France
which was established last Summer.
Looking toward America the British
see the problem of the debt as embar-
RAISING and in the long run bound to
require adjustment through new nego-
tiations But looking toward the Euro
pean Continent the British discover
condition which at any moment may
degenerate either into international
conflict or domestic revolution And
economically, politically. financially,
France is the single considerable coun-
try on the Continent which is In any
sense stable. In fact, Britain. France
and the United States are the only
democracies which have so far wealth
cred the war and the economic storm
without political upheaval.
Only Results Count.
At Lausanne last Summer MacDon-
aid turned to Herriot not because OF
any sentimental considerations, not be-
cause of sympathies born of war time
that there was no possibility of any
achievement in Europe save as Britain
and France worked together. From
1929, when Labor government had
interrupted the BRAND Chamberlain
partnership until last July, France and
Britain had opposed each other and
the result had been chaos in Europe.
Convinced that all progress toward
recovery in Europe was impossible until
reparations were eliminated, and salts
fed that no elimination of reparations
was possible save through Franco
British cooperation, Macdonald at
Lausanne signed new pact with
France which bound both to intimate
conversation before action in foreign
affairs. And it was on the strength OF
having obtained this document that
Herriot was able to win French assent
to the Lausanne accords.
Unquestionably if Britain should now
separate herself from France and by
separate negotiations seek special treat
ment from America in the matter Of
the debts she would profit thereby, for
recognition of Britain's plight is gen.
eral. But in Europe such separation
would be followed by certain conse-
quences. First Of all, France would call
attention to the fact that failure to
OBTAIN debt settlement with America
had rendered null and void the
Lausanne pacts.
France would then be free to call for
return to the Young plan. But re-
turn to the Young plan would mean
fresh demand upon the Germans to re-
sumo payments which they are unable
to make. 1t would instantly provoke
both Communist and Nazi agitation
within the Reich. 1t might lead to
domestic revolution. In any event, it
would abolish all the slight but precious
gain made last Summer for peace and
cooperation in Europe.
And the inevitable repercussions In
Germany would at once Danish all
present chance of any recovery of the
frozen credits in the Reich. which are
q detail of utmost Importance to the
British in their present financial plight
The British have long ago abandoned
all hope of getting any reparations, but
they still cling to the belief that if
Germany comes back they may get
their billion of private loans. as we
might recover our two billions and a
half Once however the rena ra tions