THE ENTENTE.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17420, 3 April 1922, Page 7

THE ENTENTE.

"FOUNDATIONS SAPPED." ALLEGATIONS AGAINST MK LLOYD GEORGE. JGy Cabi*— Ft-** AwocJatira—Copyuffiii.) l"l"ke Times.") PARIS, '.March 31. The disclosures imuo by M. Francois Marsal. Minister of Finance in Jr. Milleraud's Ministry, at a secret sitting of tile Senate, may prove the turning ;)oint in Angto-Frep.:h relations, and a turning point for the worse. M Marsal related that n deplorable attempt was'made by Mr Lloyd Georgeat Spa in 1!!:!!. to squeeze France into acceptance of a British proposal • that tiie price of reparation coal from Germany to France should be £6 per ton instead of £2. Mr Lloyd George also threatened M. Millcrand that he would declara the Entente ended and arraign Franco in the House of Commons unless lie consented. M Mar-sal .corns also to have divulged that an attempt was made by Mr Lloyd George to purchase Belgium's support by a promise of an increased percentage of reparations.

The effect in Parliamentary circles of this disgraceful chapter in British relations with Franco is analogous to the effect of a scandal which previouslv wa; only club gossip. Tho Scnata hitherto nas been the stronghold of French fide!--,ty to the Entente, but a.s a consequence of M. Marsnl's statement there is reason to fear that soma of its foundations have hcr.il sapped. "h) T-rnips." comments :_ ; '\Yc hope that no such pressure, which leaves a I:>sting trace on tho minds of tho pfonlo will bo exerted at Genoa. It" one wishes a better future it is expedient not to noison it bv evil memories."