ANGLO-FRENCH SITUATION

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 16, 19 July 1923, Page 7

ANGLO-FRENCH SITUATION

POINCARE WENT TOO FAR

PARIS PRESS LESS TRUCULENT.

(UNITED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN-,NEW SSEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 17th July.

On the eve of the dispatch of the British Note regarding reparations, the situation between France and Britain is distinctly easier. The diplomatic correspondents of the "Daily Chronicle" and "Daily Telegraph" insist that, there is a marked change in the French attitude towards Britain. The "Chronicle" describes the change in the last forty-eight hours as extraordinary. There is "now a distinct movement to minimise M. Poincare's' speech at Senlis, which was rtgarued as a definite rejection of any reply Britain could send to Germany. M. Poincare now realises that he went too far and desires to leave himself an opening, so as not to be obliged to turn down Britain's projected reply without discussion. French opinion is "cominrr to the conclusion that the French Government is demanding more than can be conceded, and opinion favours a settlement if it will not damage French prestige.

Telegraphing to'the "Chronicle" from Pans, Mr: Martin Donohoe says the baitincr of the British Government by the French Press is a pastime which is losing its attractiveness. The newspapers are now coming to the conclusion that a hostile England would not be much of an asset for France. "Don't let us have another Fashoda," pleads the "Oenvre," and even "Le Journal," in a leading article, acquits the British Government of being actuated by bad faith towards France. "Le Temps," however, discusses the. suggestion that the Continental nations might try to solve existing problems without England's aid. and adds: "The enemies of France in England desire that the Continental nations should remain divided.. That is the reason why the Continental nations ought to unite and settle their differences. Even the differences between France and Germany are largely concerned with the method of payment." "Le Temps" suggests that the Allies should take a portion of the shares of Germany's industrial concerns, both State and private, and devote the interest to the gradual payment of reparations, and points out tliat some German Socialists favour this method of settlement.