TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1922. FRENCH NATIONALISM,

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 2 May 1922, Page 4

TUESDAY, MAY 2, 1922. FRENCH NATIONALISM,

After the Cannes Conference, whicl proved disastrous to M. Briand, tht new Premier, M. Poincare, sent,, number of notes to Britain which hac for their object the alteration or th* Cannes proposals which were to become the basis of the Genoa Conference. Mr. Lloyd George, however, did not replj to the notes other than to arrange for meeting M. Poincare at Boulogne, where, after discussion, it was decided that the Cannes resolutions sho-vi.i: stand and the Cenoa Conference La opened on April 10. Those who take an interest in French polities knov- M. Poincare as a champion of French Nationalism and a writer of strong views. It has been doubtful right from the time that M. Poincare took over the Premiership from M. Briand whether the Nationalist -ideals of the new Premier would overpower the decision which he made with some reluctance to support the Cannes proposals at Genoa; and apparently M. Poincare is in a difficult position. One's tenancy of the Premiership in France is much more uncertain than is the same ofiice in Britain. The British party system gives a security which is impossible under the French "group" system, and a French Premier has to tread very warily indeed, especially in foreign affairs, or he soon loses office. The French Nationalists have a dread fear of Germany, and it is not to be wondered at, for they are historic enemies, and there remains a constant fear that, as in the past so in the future, Germany will prove unreliable and treacherous. There is a good deal to Fe said for the attitude of the French Nationalist, and, however one may think that France is acting unwisely in continuing to cherish the; hope^ that Germany will never ht permitted to become a menace again, one cannot but feel very sympathetic' But France, in her fear of Germany, | overlooks maty* important facts, and the chief is .that neither Germany, from whom she hopes to get full reparation, nor Russia, whom slie hopes to make

pay every nunc 01 money uue io French investor:., can be Kejjo m a ruined condition without setiousi results u> Jiurope and the whoie world. The British delegates at Genoa realise the position fully, and they believe £hat it will be far better to devise a plan to restore Germany and Russia and to encourage all the nations of the Continent to reconstruct their countries along sound economic lines and with a definite plan for the promotion of peaceful international trading relationships, with proper safeguards against propaganda. The policy which Mr. Lloyd George desires to have adopted is a far-sighted one, in that it seeks to promote peace by removing the causes of war. One, probably t~he chief, cause of war is the rankling bitterness of the conquered against the victor, and French Nationalism, were it to continue its policy of punishing Germany to the utmost with the idea of preventing her reconstruction and restoration, would surely lead to the bitterness and desire for revenge which those who want permanent peace in Europe desire to avoid. It was right to punish Germany severely for her criminal action in forcing the European war, but it cannot be right to keep on punishing her for ■ decades to come if there is any indication that her people are willing to give sound securities for peace. Her agree-

ment; With Russia played right into the hands of the French Nationalists, I and, knowing Germany as they do. there is every reason why Mr. Lloyd George and the other Allied delegates should take every possible precaution against being deceived. It is a most difficult problem, but the attitude of French Nationalism will not solve it, and though; M. Poincare may hope to make France secure for the immediate future there must come a day when the effects of what France does now will have to be faced. It should be possible to draw up a sound peace pact and Britain's representatives state very j clearly that unless a definite agreement is the result of the Genoa Conference there will be most serious results and another war will be a not remote possibility. It is to be hoped that M. Barthou, who has returned to Paris from Genoa, presumably for instructions and to test the bulk of French opinion, will be enabled to return to the Conference with a more encouraging policy than "that which M. Poincare apparently favours. It seems to us that a permanent peace agreement for Europe is more possible now than for a long time past, but with matters as they are there is a grave danger of the chance being missed and the spirit of peace disappearing in despair. It often happens that when opportunities for peace are nearest, failure to seize them leads to disaster.