FRANCE AND HER ALLIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18173, 19 August 1922, Page 8

FRANCE AND HER ALLIES.

—, ■«* ' — France's next step in the reparations controversy should be of exceptional interest, but it would be a mistake in the meantime to attach too much importance to the propaganda and threatenings coming from Paris. These, as embodied in today's cablegrams, range from the seizure of all German taxes to an alliance with Russia and Germany. A great deal must be allowed for the irritation being felt in France, and' even more for the position in which M. Poincarc finds himßelf. He represents the extreme view in French politics. His predecessor, M. Briand, fell from power for no reason' save that he was disposed to consider that half-a-loaf would serve France better than no bread. In M. Briand's place came M. Poincare pledged to bring France the whole loaf and to yield nothing in any circumstances* whatsoever. The international wranglings of the past four months show that M. Poincare has acted unflinchingly up to his undertaking, and the present crisis should suggest even to France that he has failed. It remains to be seen whether France will yet take this view, and if so, whether M. Poincare will adjust his attitude to the facts of the situation or leave the task of compromising to another. Meantime there is naturally much annoyance in France, and to this may be ascribed the rather dramatic suggestion of a new Triple Alliance of France, Russia and Germany. Such a friendship would surely make France uncomfortable, and it is not surprising that Germany is suspicious and is not responding sympathetically. The idea is grotesque, but it is perhaps as well that Frenchmen should, for a time at least, cease thinking of Germany in the light of their eternal enemy. A change of that kind might easily tend more toward peace, and an international settlement, than another conference between M. Poincare and Mr. Lloyd George.