The Hokitika Guardian. FRIDAY, FEURUAHY 16. 1923. THE RUHR POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 February 1923, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian. FRIDAY, FEURUAHY 16. 1923. THE RUHR POSITION.

Although the responsible British statesmen waited for the assembly of Parliament, before publicly expressing their views on the Rbur position, it may be taken for granted that the British Government’s view of the French action was made known to Paris long before. There is nothing unequivocal about the remarks of Mr Bon&r Law. He is very direct in his statements, and makes it plain how generous the British proposals were to the French, as a means to reaching a working formula regarding the relaxations. England went the length of offering u> wipe out the debts of France and Italy to Great Britain, and it seems very strange that the hlackshirted leader of the Italians did not seize the offer, and endeavour to press French action, instead of approving the independent French action. Hr Bonar Law makes a denite statement against France, which would hardly be made without inward knowledge of the facts. He says that the French seemed to have a feeling that they would like to obtain the reparations, but they did not wish to see Germany strong enough to pay! The French were afraid if a lower sum were fixed (Germany would pay off and in 20 or :ln V ears he as strong again as she was

before the war. If that be the true Krench attitude now, then there is little hope of a settlement. France is determined to bind Germany down, and seek to coop her in so that there can he no disillusionment, for France in two or three decades. France is counting evidently that she will act alone always, that the Entente will disappear in time. I 1 ranee, by the way, is going the right way to kill the Entente for all time, and to Isolate herself from those who were her best friends in the hour of need. The position is so drifting that sooner or later the British troops must be withdrawn from the occupied teiritory. To stay there passively is to recognise as it v, ere, the many flagrant ami provocative acts which the French are performing. Tito point is sure to be raised in the Commons, and already the Prime Minister has expressed misgivings on the point. The I'tench arc pursuing a mad adventure, and building up a store of trouble it will take long years to exhaust. The cri-is in tlie°Rliiir can hardly go on imleiinitely nor without America and England as a matter of duty attempting something to stabalise Europe. France pleads iKJverU; and yet continues oil a great adventure which must be costing millions of francs, and heaping up a liability it will cost millions more to redeem. The objective so lar a--the reparations are concerned, must fail, but there is now the hint that territorial acquisition rather .than money is desired. Franco despite the lesson of Alsace and Lorraine, atul the plea for which won her so much world sympathy, is lier.seli creating another edition of the same trouble but thi time the sympathy ot the world is |ik,.l, to be with Germany. France lots adopted a demeanour which hitiief, to v.as attributed solely to the Bust-lie. The E tench invitation has probably 1,0,.u well understudied, for French people suffered greatly at the hands oi the overmastering Germans. Suli. tlieie should be something in our civilisation which should he a restraining influence on uncultured acts, and the copying by France til these is mil to the credit of the nation, nor will it inspire confidence, nor hold -ya. pat by should a turn of Lite wheel til fortune again reverse the position ol tho parties, ft is regrettable that ali this is so, but the trend of the debate in the British House ot Commons, indicates how serious the French action is being viewed by the nation which Wits the first to rentier generous succour when Franco was threateiicd with being overt.helmed.