A CHANGE IN SPIRIT.

Southland Times, Issue 19172, 16 February 1924, Page 4

A CHANGE IN SPIRIT.

Marshal Petain may assure the Germans that there is to be no modification of the French policy in the Rhineland, but recent events suggest that the gallant officer may not be altogether correct in his view of the situation. A significant fact as disclosing the changed French attitude is that when the German people turned on the Separatists and slaughtered them with every evidence of frenzied brutality, the French soldiery did not intervene. It is not so long ago that French soldiers were not so passive. In the Ruhr area the Separatists came into collision with the German police, but as soon as the republic’s forces moved the French intervened and drove off the police. This turned the tables and the French stood by, interested spectators, while Separatists beat a police officer to death. This and the open favour shown the Separatists went on in the French area with the approval of the Belgians, but the British commander made it clear that no Separatist disturbances would be permitted in the zone under his control. With the British maintaining an attitude which supported the existing Government and denounced all efforts to create disorder, the Belgians switched round and adopted a similar course of action. Now we find France, in circumstances which warrant intervention, making no effort to protect the Separatists. The incident gives some idea of the temper of the German people, who probably have been spurred into this ferocious display by the feeling that these secessionists were really working in the interests of an enemy without. Now that the Committee of Experts has definitely recommended measures to restore the German currency, the German people will be readier to give expression .to their political hopes, and more capable of combating the disintegrating influences which have been at work amongst a cowed people. The recent events show how great have been the changes in the last few weeks—in France and in Germany. Europe to-day requires the retention of Mr Ramsay MacDonald at Downing Street for some time longer or failing him a Prime Minister ready to continue an assertive and independent British policy.