POLITE BUT UNYIELDING

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 48, 25 August 1923, Page 6

POLITE BUT UNYIELDING

The annexe to the French Note declares that the British Note is courteous but unconciliatory. The description is aptly applicable to the French Note itself. M. Poincare's tone throughout is courteous. It is' not harshly retaliatory ; there is no recrimination; Britain is not blamod for the Ruhr impasse. But beyond this friendliness in tone M. Poincare does not go- He offers nothing towards the conclusion of a friendly pact, and withdraws none of the obsta^ cles which at present.bar the way of concerted, action.. The proposal for expert examination of Germany's capacity to pay is rejected uncompromisingly,: as it has been rejected before, on threefold grounds: • that it would be in breach of the Treaty, that the Reparations Commission is the most competent tribunal, and that expert examination at present would be valueless because Germany has fraudulently become bankrupt. This allegationl of fraudulent bankruptcy may be seen-as determining the whole .French policy. France believes that Germany can pay at least the full amount demanded for reconstruction m the devastated areas, and she will consent to no re-examination which might prove that belief to be illfounded. Britain also believes that Germany can pay more than she has' paid in the past, but'she is willing to submit to experts the determination of that capacity, trance concedes only the possibility of German-inability to pay all that is demanded over and above reconstruction costs; but here she continues to insist that if there is to be any reduction m the demand it must be at Britain's expense. Virtually the only offer she makes as. an approach to joint action is: Help us to collect what Germany owes us; then we will discuss whether it is wise to attempt to exact what Germany owes you.

There is no suggestion of willingness even to negotiate with Germany until passive resistance is abandoned. Germany must throw away this weapon before France will talk with her. We may agree heartily that Germany should make an unconditional surrender- but the difficulty lies in inducing Germany to agree also. I ranee will riot disclose her intentions even to fier Ally. All that she will promise is a progressive evacuation of the Ruhr as ' payments are made. At Gharleville M. Poincare declared his intention of striving to bring French policy into agreement with Allied views. He has certainly failed in his initial attempt.. Apparently all that he has done i B to review his own policy and convince' himself that he is right, and always has been right. But when he fails to produce either new arguments or new concessions he cannot expect to, carry conviction in Britain. It is impossible to predict what will be the outcome. The French Press approves the Note and commends M. Poincare's efforts to save the Entente. The British Press, almost without exception views the reply with disfavour'; and suggests various courses now open to Britain, including separate action and withdrawal from the Entente. ' The. "Morning Post'" neither approves nor disapproves; but suggests that if Germany will abandon passive resistance the way for joint Allied action will be clciiv. Yet how is Germany-to bs L persuaded.? JJie sue w, .of. lio E c

is in the possibility of greater progress through personal meetings of the Allied leaders. The French Note hints that argument in the market-place is unlikely to lead! to a settlement; but there is no promise that France will be more conciliatory when the world is not listening. -