Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1935. FRANCE AND GERMANY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 22, 7 November 1935, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 1935. FRANCE AND GERMANY.

The Abyssinian-Italian conflict has occupied so much of the world’s attention that little heed has been paid to most important discussions that have been taking place at Geneva. It is briefly reported that there has been consideration of a plan for modifying the structure of the League with the object of bringing Germany back and establishing a new security system based qn co-operation between France. Germany and Britain. Consistent with the past attitude, Britain has taken a leading part in the matter, endeavour ing to find a solution of the eternal Franco-German quarrel, which constitutes an ever-present menace to peace. The suspicion with which the two countries regard each other has its origin in far off times, a suspicion that ever since the Great War has broken that into antagonism over several matters arising out of the reconstruction of European economic affairs. Now. with the dose association of Britain and France in the matter of the ItaloAbyssinian conflict, Britain is renetving her efforts to bring about a better understanding that will establish peace on a firmer footing. A factor in the present situation, however, is Russia. Supporters of the proposal for changes in the League, including Dr. Schacht (German Minister of Economic Affairs), emphasise that it is essential for France not to ratify her agreement with the Soviet as it involves the ultimate recognition of Germany s rights to expand eastwards. On the other hand, M. Herriot, speaking on behalf of the French Left parties, warned M. Laval that they would not tolerate an understanding with Germany permitting her expansion eastwards at the expense or Russia. The advent of Herr Hitler terminated the close association since 1922 of Germany and Russia, leaving the Soviet with the same anxieties in the etfst as troubled France in the west. Thus has come about the rapprochement in the last two years of Russia and France, parted since 1917 by a bitter estrangement. So far, the association has been no more than diplomatic, for France has been suspicious of the Soviet fait and of Russian motives, and well aware that 1914 conditions no longer apply, while there are grave disadvantages. Among these is the fact that to contract obligations with a single Power would be to betray the collective system of the League and so destroy it, a step France is reluctant to take. Instead she stood sponsor for Russia’s entry into the League and incidentally provided a world platform for the smooth tongue of M. Litvinoff. More important to-France, while she maintains present friendly relatiom Russia and Germany are kept securely apart. At the same time, if t ranee should finally despair of the League she has prepared the way for retaining an ally on the old model. For recently she dispatched to Moscow missions which resulted in drawing the bonds closer.