CRITICISM OF FRANCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18078, 1 May 1922, Page 5

CRITICISM OF FRANCE.

SEEKING DOMINATION.

M. POINCARE AS KAISER.

" INTOLERABLE MEDDLING." By TeUsraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 5.5 p.m.) A. and N.Z- LONDON, April 29. Tho despatches sent by Mr. J. L. Garvin, editor of tho Observer, who is representing*' that papor at tho Genoa Conferonce, continue to express whole-hearted irritation at tho French attitude. His opinions are important as likely to he reflecting the feelings of Mr. Lloyd George, as Mr. Garvin is admittedly ono of tho Prime Minister's soundest supporters. After paying a tribute to Mr. Lloyd Georgo's work at Genoa, Mr. Garvin declares that Paris i.<? in greater danger than Moscow, seeku:!;; ;o kill the spirit of tho Cannes resolutions. Paris does not work genuinely foi tho restoration of Europe, but dreads it. M. Poincare clings to the formula of Allied domination, which moans French domination. He will neither como to tho conference nor keep out. For instance, the Note in reply to tho Russian proposals, which was intended (o end tho maddening procrastination and evasiveness of tho Bolsheviks, was thoroughly approved by Italy and others, but again subjected to the veto of Paris, which instructed M. Barthor, to submit a counterdraft. Or.co more M. Poincaro treated the French delegation like puppets jerked by wires. He has harassed tho conference like a man in ambush. Ho does not want Genoa to succeed, and always gives most trouble when it is most likely to succeed. Undoubtedly he is divided by a strong desiro to break up the conference and an armour dread of the consequence. He is the Kaiser of peace and may be fatal to Europe. Mr. Garvin writes: "It is intolerable that M. Poincare should meddle in the muddle with the conference %vithout belonging to it. If he. had been in the living atmosphere of Genoa 24 hours he would have been incapable of tho speech cabled on Monday. Not a single country, , whether ally or neutral, approved of the I Ultimatum in that speech. It ignored the overwhelming weight of sana opinion throughout tho world. In the inherent issue this conference is either here to be the beginning of a now Europe or to be the end of the Entente between Britain and France. It is high time to show this is the British Empire's irrevocable policy. Either M. Poincare'is ultimatum must bo stultified, which would mean his political exit, or the Entente musrt end, or reparations must be discussed from top to bottom."