Surely there can be nothing but danger in the retention
of French troops in the Ruhr when once the economic eontrol of that district has been restored to Germany. As everyone knows, the position of occupying troops in a foreign country is difficult enough in all conscience when their position is accurately and legally defined. But in this case there would be no definition of duties and the public peace might be at the mercy of a brawl in a tavern. However, the truth is that there is no means of preventing the French from bargaining with the Ger- mans for commercial advantages, and we can only eontinue to hope that the negotiations will reach a quick and happy conclusion. Although we disapprove we have to recognize, as Mr. MacDonald has evidently recognized, that M. Herriot cannot go too far in advance of the opinion of the French politicians. There would be danger in that just as there is danger in the present situation.
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