SECOND THOUGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 140, 11 December 1923, Page 7

SECOND THOUGHTS

FRENCH OPINION REVIEWED i

ECONOMIC MENACE AVEETED.

(rnilSllD IN IH« TItUO

(Received 11th December, 9 a.m.)

LONDON, 10th December

The Paris correspondent, of. "The Times" says. that .the French were at first greatly shocked by. the result of the British elections, in view of the probable change of policy in regard to the reparations question. It was also considered that only the Baldwin Government was' able to maintain . and strengthen the Entente.

The French now see that the outcome of the elections is the destruction of the formidable tariff menace, and are beginning to congratulate themselves, since it is argued that if Mr. Baldwin had won he would have had a powerful weapon which might have been directed against France.

Thus, with the possiiblity of a fierce economic battle, there is discreet rejoicing that the conflict has been avoided. Moreover, greater stress is being laid on Mr. Baldwin's opposition to the Ruhr policy. It. is alleged that he is of opinion that the payment of reparations by Germany would have meant ruinous competition for Britain.