FRENCH POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11437, 6 February 1923, Page 5

FRENCH POLICY

11 BLIND INFATUATION" “WRECKING HOPE OF PEACE IN THE NEAR EAST. ’ “THE TIMES” SPEAKS OUT. By Telegraph.— Prose Assn.— Copyright. Published in ,J Tbe Time* “ LONDON, February 4. In a leading article dealing primarily with the confusion raised by the mystery of the French Notes to Angora. “Tlie Times/’ examines the advantages of Anglo-French unity, ami concludes: “It is verv natural that tho British people should wish to know the Teal motives of the Power with whom we have l>een accustomed of late years closely to co-operate. We are accustomed to regard treaties as a binding, plighted word, as a contract that cannot lightly be ignored at the convenience of either party. GREATEST ALARM. “In the policy which the French are pursuing in the Ruhr —a policy inspiring England with the greatest alarm as to the future of Europe and tho world—the French Government, knowing that Britain entirely disapproves, invokes the sanctions of a treaty that was the product of the joint efforts of all the Powers who were allies in the war. “Tlie French have aroused in Germany a spirit of resistance, and a reckless disregard for all the obligations imposed by the Peace Treaty, which seems likely to throw Hie whole work of the peace into complete confusion. We have had no part in this, yet w» roust bear the consequences. HEADSTRONG ACTION. “The tradition of dose friendship with France, and especially the vivid memories of comradeship m war, still prevent many people in England from perceiving the full cansequences to ourselves and the world of the headstrong action of France. “If, however, the French Government, in its blind infatuation over some obscure schemes of its own, goes so far as to wreck the hope of the roe in the Near East, encouraged the labours of the Lausanne Conference, then the people of this country will begin to feel that for all practical purposes the Entente is ended.” ECYPTIAN BUDAN NEW CONSTITUTION FRAMED. Australian and N.Z. Cable fluMaHim. CAIRO, February 4. It is understood that as the insult of conversations between King Fnsd and Lord Allenby, an accord ha® been reached in regard to the difference between the British and Egyptian Governments over the Sudan clauses of the new Egyptian Constitution.