THE ANGLO-FRENCH NOTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17457, 29 April 1920, Page 4

THE ANGLO-FRENCH NOTE.

The most satisfactory outcome of the San Remo Conference is the reestablishment of Anglo-French unity,.momentarily disturbed by the decision of France to send troops into Germany and by Mr. Lloyd George's dissent from that action. It is apparent that harmony has been restored by the conversion of the British Prime Minister to the French view, because the Note despatched to Germany threatens the occupation of further territory if necessary to ensure the execution of the Treaty of Versailles. In this case Mr. Lloyd George's second thoughts have proved best and undoubtedly reflect the temper of the British people more accurately than his protest against the French advance. The fundamental question is whether the treaty is to be observed or whether it is to be dishonoured. If the Allies intend to enforce it they cannot start too soon. They have already given Germany many concessions, so many, indeed, as to encourage the assumption in Berlin that the treaty might safely be disregarded. The latest Allied Note contains a formidable category of Germany's breaches of the treaty. She has not reduced her armaments to the prescribed scale, she has not provided coal as required by the i treaty, she has permitted Allied officers to be assaulted, and she has neglected the opportunity afforded her by the treaty of making proposals for the restoration of the devastated areas and for the payment of reparation. For some of these faults of commission and omission there may be excusesthe German Government doubtless finds its hands I very full— taken together they j indicate an attitude of contemptuous indifference to treaty obligations which the Allies cannot tolerate. It can hardly be doubted that the main object of Germany's foreign policy at the present time is to dishonour the latest "scrap of paper'' to which she has set her name. The business of the Allies is to prevent this and unless they are united they cannot cheek the constant attempts at evasion which Germany will practise. For the moment their temper and their outlook are beyond reproach. They have given Germany a muchneeded warning that she will gain nothing by obstruction but will benefit by a faithful execution of the treaty. It is to be regretted that Italy did not see her way to subscribe to the latest pronouncement of Anglo-French policy, but the important fact is that the essentia,] unity of France and Britain has again been proclaimed. The entente was and is the foundation of the grand alliance. The United States and Japan may lose interest in European affairs. Italy may become absorbed in domestic questions, but as long as Britain and France hold together the peace of the Old World is assured. It i| to be hoped the San Remo Conference will end the talk of revising the treaty in Germany's favour, a course the Italian Premier is said to have advocated. It may be advisable to make further concessions to Germany's exhaustion, but such occasions will best be dealt with on their merits as they arise. For the present it is far more necessary to insist upon proofs of Germany's honesty of purpose.