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Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1923, Page 3

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MR LLOYD GEORGE.

THE RUHR SITUATION. The following and all of Mr Lloyd George’s articles, are copyright by United Press in America and all countries, copyright in Australasia by the Australian Press, Copyright, in Britain by the Daily Chronicle. (Reproduction in full or part prohibited). AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. • Received this day at 8 n.m.) LONDON. Aug. go. Hon Lloyd George writes“ The pen and ink joust is to he suspended for .1 fortnight, whilst the British unemployment figures are leaping upwards. When exhausted the British knights have been revigorated by French waters and they will once more charge full tilt at the French champion. At least thev will have made up their minds by then whether they will shiver another fountain pen against his blotting pad. So far the French nation is jubilant. M. Poincare scored heavily on the points and he is a defter penman and does not delegate to a draughtsman or to a committee of ministers, all holding irreconcilable views, as bow to proceed, when to proceed and whither to proceed. 3 here is no agreement among them except on one point, and that is. no on quite knows what action to propose.

Dp to this last reply they cherished the vain delusion that the French could be shelled out of the Ruhr bv roproaelies, which are both querulous and apologetic. The French Foreign Office is better informed as to Cabinet divisions in this country than are the British public. Tt knows that the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary dare not take measures to hamper French action in the Ruhr. That explains tlu s impotence of British diplomacy in n

situation so critical to onr existence as a great commercial people. Cabinet can agree on wordy notes but they are hopelessly divided as to action. They arc, therefore, dispersed far and wide to search for fortuitous guidance, some in tranquil country houses, some in the healing springs of France, anil some ill the mists ol the Scottish Moorlands, Mavhap one of them will bring home a policy acceptable to his colleagues. It is all very humiliating to an Empire that raised ten million men and spent ton thousand million to win a war. I lie net result of fhe voluminous correspondence is that the Allies whom we saved from destruction refuse to move an inch out of their road to secure mir friendly companionship. They are marching resolutely in one direction while wo are shambling along in another. We have travelled long distances from each other since January and are now altogether out of sight, of the position we held in common when we met the Germans at Cannes. The Entente was never more cordial than it was then, but M. Poincare had no use for the dove of peace. He wanted to tly his falcon that ho hail trained and bred in a French farmyard. When tho chance on me ho (lew in and wounded to German eagle. It is poor sport anil somewhat cruel, but evidently it gives jov to the Frenchman of the sort. The host are ashamed of it. but their voices are drowned in the clamour of the unthinking. If the helpless bird is torn to pieces there is nothing in that for the French or the Belgian larders. Quite unintentionally the hawk brought down the Entente; also, it innv not lie dead, hut it has made its last, (light. France is irrevocably committed to t.1'.0 exploitation of the Ruhr by force; that is wlmt pay or stay means to that policy. The majority in this country art- opposed to it, but for a fortnight nothing is to happen, except the spread of unemployment in Britain and despair in Germany. Will there l-e a surrender to Al. Poincare's rejoinder or another Conference? Both AL Poincare and the present British regime came into power on tho cry of ‘‘Enough of these Conferences, let us return to tlie good old diplomatic methods that prevailed in pre-war times,” and they might add. which heplcd to make war 'possible, lb a suspicions circumstance that those who once were resentful ami scornful of the Conferences should now the clamouring for one. Both here and in France at the old Conferences, it is contended that France was invariably forced lo give way. Now she can and will command the situation. There is a new note of confidence ringing through the French dispatches echoed in the French press. Fra nee must get what she wants and Britain must take what she is given. The French share of the reparations must first, he assured. The debts due to Britain can come out ol wlmt is left. This is rather greedy, hut it is characteristic of the British that they should expect to He paid what is owing to them. With their smug and hypocritical temper, puritan temperament and outlook, they insist that contracts should he respected. For the sake ol Hie Entente, France will make a concession. even to British cupidity and Pharisaism. It will permit the British Empire to collect, not tin* whole of what is due. hut a much reduced claim out of Germany, once the French demand for Reparations is cashed. To me this is a new France. During m.v years of discussion with French statesmen 1 never heard this voice. I had three or lour talks with Af. Poincaie and never heard him speak in this supercilious tone. Impunity has developed in them, since, lo the present pitch in stridency. Belgium is to suggest a meeting of Premiers. V hen it comes Franco’s minimum terms are to be rigid and unequivocal. Any denarture o,i the French side from these terms seems impossible. .1 be hope of the Conference rests entirely on the confidence ol the British surrender. There is a dismal jovride in prospect for the Prime Minister and his Foreign Secretary. It is ciniceivalile that they can eon tempi ate such a capitulation. 1 don’t see how the present Government, after all it lias said and written, can so far as submit to French dictation as to make likely further discussions that would lead to an agreement. Wlmt is the alternative. Herr Streseinai.n can alone answer the question. Perhaps ho is feeling his way to a decision.