ANGLO-FRENCH AMITY.

Grey River Argus, 3 April 1922, Page 5

ANGLO-FRENCH AMITY.

SOME DISTURBING FACTORS. IN FRENCH SENATE. [A. and N. z. (Janie Association] PARIS, March 30. Disclosures made by the former Minister, M. .Marsel, at a secret sitting of the Senate may prove th? turning point in Anglo-French relations, and a turning - point for worse. Marsal related a deplorable attempt by Mr Lloyd George at Spa, in 1921, to squeeze France into acceptance of the British proposal that the price of reparations coal from Germany to France should be £(> per ton, instead of £2. Air Lloyd George threatened M. MiHerand that he would declare the Entente ended ami arraign France in till’ Commons unless she consented. .Marsal seems also to have divulged that an attempt was made by Air Lloyd George to purelies? Belgium’s support by a promise of an increased percentage of reparations. The effect in Parliamentary circles of this disgraceful chapter in British relations with France is analogous to effect of a revelation in a court of law of a scandal which previously was only club gossip. The Senate hitherto has been a stronghold of French fidelity to the Entente, but as a consequence of Marshal’s statement there is reason to fear some of the foundations have been sapped. Th enewspaper “Le Temps” comments: “We hope no such pressure which leaves a lasting trace on the minds of the people, will be exerted at Genoa. If one wishes a better future, it is expedient not to poison it by evil memories. ’ ’