The Guardian AND EVENING STAR. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28th, 1923. FRANCO-BRITISH RELATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 March 1923, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28th, 1923. FRANCO-BRITISH RELATIONS.

Signs are not wanting that the entente cordialc between Britain and France is being unduly attained: and this njiparently apart from the situation created by the French excursion into the Ruhr district. For instance, Bold Birkenhead’s interview with the London "Evening Standard” in aerial arma-

ments. make- point*-.I reference to an anti-British feeling inning m. table French Generals, while the French newspaper ‘The Figaro’, the next day, openly advocated the severance of the entente. Tlu: newspaper blames England for the ills France is now heir to, which seems to be decidedly ungrateful and angerous. 1.-ird Birkenhead's remarks ill regard t*, t lie leaders of the French Aimy are certainly arresting. The noble lord criticises the European policy of France to which Britain passively objects as being nunc political than economic. Following lux line ol criticism we should say it was really mere military Ilian either political or economic. .Franco is facing an enormous expenditure bv reason of her method of levy on Germany, but at the same time Frame avoids payment <>t her debt to Britain. But the ical fact of the matter is, as recognised by Bird Birkenhead, that France lias great aerial strength, much in excess of the United Kingdom. While Britain, as Usual, kept her word ns passed at the Washington Conference, and has been reducing her naval armament. France not only declined to co-operate with the Washington resolution, lmt at the same, time enormously increased her air forces. Thus it is that Biitniu has a depleted force t*> guard her shores by the sea. and a decidedly weak force for aerial defence. To what extent France may desire to take Britain by surprise can be measured only by deductions from the Ruhr advance in tile face of British opinion, and the criticism of the French newspapers on the British alliance. From this it is obvious for inference that British opinion is ignored, and that France is beginning to feel strong enough to go her own way without any defensive aliiamo with Great Britain. It *s a complete change of front on the part of France and the situation gives food for thought. Franco has tile largest standing army in Europe, and the linest air iorce, really. There is no immediate peril on the horizon to justify this military and aerial strength. Yet France claims to he ton poor to pay her debt to Britain, *u respect t" credit given by Britain to save France in tile hour of danger and disaster. Further, public oniainri *ii Britain and diplomatic advice from British statesmen, is ignored, and France puisnes an aggressive policy in Germany calculated to disturb tile peace of Europe and not to assuage the feelings of the defeated people. It would appear as if France were rattling her sabres in the desire to excite reprisals that she might administer further defeat by her military omnipotence upon her disarmed foe—:t disarmament due in a very great measure to ihe prolonged sacrifice of Britain, which Ims now to foot the bill of costs in addition to her other contributions to the victory Frame seeks lo use to her own advantage without consideration for the Allies who joined tier in achieving that mastery. The enumo was founded as a. reciproeiiy of interests and France made the fullest use of ii in men, money and munitions from Hiitain. But for Frame, the Entente has served its purpose, and now in the mind of leading Frenchmen is something to he annulled, while France may turn to some other countries where she may strike another bargain to gain further benefits. France will strain British opinion too much if she believes Britain may >e flouted so easily. The new situation which has been created will arouse milch discussion. The fact that Lord Birkenhead who knows what Britain d.id in the Great War, is constrained to speak so openly, indicates the trend of public thought. Doubtless, for diplomatic reasons, the British Ministers are for the moment more reserved, hut even they cannot afford to ignore nuldic opinion if it rises to n certain degree, and so we may expect some Ministerial statement on the matter at no distant date as an indication where tie Entente might be severed.