FRANCO-GERMAN ALLIANCE

Maoriland Worker, Volume 13, Issue 36, 5 September 1923, Page 1

FRANCO-GERMAN ALLIANCE

Anti-British European Bloc

L Britain's policy with respect to the Ruhr is now very clear. hat is sought is a recuperated Germany and commercial relationphips which will revive British trade. Because the French ||ontrol the Rhine, with the population on the banks of which jlhe bulk of Britain's trade with Germany is done, this revival Bs impeded, and—the Entente Cordiale becomes increasingly Biseordiale. il Two policies are open to Britain as things stand: either she l Ran pursue her- age-long policy of a Balance of Power in Europe J|y negotiating an agreement with Germany to offset the influence Bf France, or she can withdraw from Europe altogether. B The British ruling class is divided between these alternatives. Iffhe upshot will be, in The Maoriland Worker's opinion, that J Britain will not withdraw from Europe, which, commercially I peaking, such is the geography of the case, would be as irrational || s ? Ireland getting out of Britain, or New Zealand out of B-iistralia and vice versa. . Ii In this ease an Anglo-German agreement will certainly be attempted, but—and this we find amusing—Britain will have to fiiove quickly or be defeated by a competitor for Germany's jjavoiir. And that competitor will be France! B Cabled on Friday that the Paris Bourse was disquieted by rumours that the French Government contemplated ■n alteration of its policy in the Ruhr. What does this mean? lit means the of the olefinitely anti-British elements in jjne French ruling class. i Weeks ago these, represented in the press by the "Temps," resentment at Britain's effort to create a new balance j|i power in Europe by rapprochement with Germany, and they jlrged an anti-British Continental Bloc based on an understanding ■etween France and Germany. They want to combat and diminish 'British influence on the Continent. Apparently they have won. J. What an entertaining spectacle I The two Allies coquetting jjpth the "enemy" to injure one another! |J If France evacuates the Ruhr on a concession of a 50-50 arJingement h\the division of shares in the German Rhineland coal Wjncerns, a Franco-German'combine will dominate the wealthiest _F a ai l d ir(m de P° sit hi Europe and RUIdS THE CONTINENT. *Ba what about the British steel industry then!