COLLECTIVE ACTION?

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 107, 7 May 1923, Page 7

COLLECTIVE ACTION?

f FRANCE NOT CONCERNED ALONE

FIRST DECISIONS CHANGED.

LONDON, sth May. The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent writes;—" France and Belgium propose to answer the German Note independently of Britain and without consulting the British Government regarding our views. In these circumstances one ia. tempted to wonder what becomes of the Treaty principles of _ collective action and inter-Allied solidarity. Had France arid Belgium reserved to themselves the exclusive right -to reply to that portion of the Note relating to the occupation of the Ruhr, such an attitude might, he understood, but the proposed French extfrision of separate, independent action to the common domain of reparations is another matter, which is bound to occasion some surprise and some feeling here. Lord Curzon's reference to the need of concerted action must have been deliberate." It iyas the original intention that the French reply should be handed to> the Germans at the same time as to the Allies, but Lord Ourzon's emphasis on concerted action is believed to be responsible for a change of procedure, the Allies receiving the Note first. It is said that this will give time for British comment before the reply is delivered to the Germans. On the other hand, Lord Curzon received the French Ambassador to-day, and the' latter, it is said, explained that M. Poincare would have preferred a collective reply, but that was impossible owing to the demrfid of the French public. and Parliamentary opinion for the immediate rejection or the German Note. Lord Curzon is stated to have bean assured that if Germany at any time makes an offer which can possibly be regarded as a basis for discussion, M. Poincare will be prepared to consider .if jcfutly with all the Allies.

LONDON, 6th May. , .The "Sunday Express" understands that conversations are taking place between .London, Paris, Brussels, and Borne, the British Government being desirous of ascertaining the' Allies' views before drafting its reply to Germany. The "Observer's" diplomatic correspondent says that the present opportunity of ending the Ruhr deadlock is one which the British Government is anxious not to lose. The "Observer" says:—"lt is being pointed out in', the friendliest , way to the French. Government that the general problem of reparations and'inter-. Allied debts is one which does not concern France alone, and is. one which in any case cannot be settled by French action in the Euhr. Both the British and: American Governments have so far refrained from broaching the subject of the French debts to themselves out of friend-

Ship to France. It is all the more imJportant, therefore, that France should

not now miss the opportunity of consult- % ing the 'Allies in a matter that concerns them equally- with herself.-"