IRRITAPING FRENCH TACTICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1921, Page 4

IRRITAPING FRENCH TACTICS.

Considering the enormous sacrifices made by the British. Empire on her behalf, France is displaying a very poor spirit in making demands for a big navy—equal to that of Japan—and thereby risking the success of the Washington Conference, the main aim of which is to enable the nations to divert from wasteful expenditure on armaments large annual expenditure that could accomplish much benefit when applied to meeting national needs. On the one hand France is clamoring for the prompt payment of reparations money by Germany, because she is in uurgent need of funds, yet, at the same time comes forward with, a demand for creating a large navy, which means an absolute and unnecessary waste. Tf her purpose were so designed as to set her staunch friends by the ears it could not be more completely framed than it is. Apparently France considers that as her demand has not the remotest chance of being met, she may be able to secure a definite pledge from Britain to come to her aid if attacked. Tf

.*o, her tactics are more likely to scare off any guarantee than to secure it. To justify that extreme of neighborly friendship which would bring Britain to her aid •in a vital crisis, France must not only give proof of loyalty and good faith, but must also convince the other Powers of her reliability. Of late her disposition has been rather that of a spoiled child than of a world Power actuated by a desire to promote peace. Her irritating tactics may be the result of the exceptional strain connected with the war. Yet surely there must be some vestige of sane statesmanship still remaining in the country and aware of the danger tnat may result from alienating friendship and sympathy. France has everything to gain from adopting a conciliatory policy, and much to lose by quarrelling with her best friends. It will not be surprising if Mr. Lloyd George has a straight talk with the French Premier, for it is high time that a change took place, and France was brought to her senses. It would be sheer madness tc encourage France in wasting on armaments the money she so urgently needs for rehabilitating her finances, fostering her industries, and restoring her devastated territory.