UNITY IN PERIL.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1920, Page 5

UNITY IN PERIL.

FRANCO-BRITISH RELATIONS. BRITAIN'S APOLOGIA. .WHY FRANCE ACTED ALONE. Sj Telegraph.—Press Attn.—Copyright. Received April 11, 5.5 p.m. cite _' ' London, April 9. An authoritative statement on the situation points out that any communication of British official »ewa as'regards the despatch of French troops to the neutral zone was made primarily to prevent any possible damage to the Anglo-French Alliance, on which the hope of the world centred—certainly not with the purpose of exciting public opinion in this or any other country. The fundamental Idea of British Ministers is that any Alliance would rapidly dissolve if an individual member of the Alliance acts on his own initiative in an important matter without the assent of the other members. It does not serve the cause of any Alliance to ' gloss over or ignore the seriousness of any Ally acting militarily on its own initiative against the opinion of its Ally. The British are equally concerned in securing the execution of the Peace Treaty with any other signatories, but they are of opinion it would only weaken the authority of the Allies if violent action was taken without an unimpeachable reason. It is held that the Treaty in this instance did not contemplate a situation like that which has now arisen. The British view ir that in the neutral tone, in the event of serious social disorder, either the Allies must take the responsibility for restoring order, or allow the German Government to assume the-responsibility, subject to suitable guarantees. The Treaty never contemplated making a fifty mile zone of perpetual disorder, wherein neither the Allies nor Germany would be able to exercise authority. The situation to-day, according to the British view, is one for police action against the disorder, and it is felt that It is far better this should be pointed out now. and a clew understanding reached. The British are equally ready with the French to insist on the execution of the Treaty if there is any hesitation on the part of the Germans in fulfilling their guarantee tc evacuate the neutral zone at the appointed time, and Britain was quite willing to agree to any necessary action if this '.agreed period passed. The French Govern-ment-has been fully informed of this view more than once before the troops were sent. Faith in the Entente and friendliness for the French people, is In no way diminished, and the announcement that France acted on her own initiative against the advice of the Allies is merely a statement of fact .necessary to make it clear that it is impossible for the Allies as a whole to accept the positkm that they can be committed by the independent action of any one Ally, and it is necessary to strengthen the Alliance by ensuring future solidarity. It is added that the views expressed are not those of any individual British Minister, but of the whole Cabinet Imperial, Service.