[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sta,—Why should we assume
so blandly that we are right and the French so entirely wrong in this Ruhr business ? All sorts of plans have been tried. Weak-kneed politicians have blundered badly ever since the Armistice and have allowed the Germans to whittle down or avoid every obligation. Bankers and experts have bad their say with no result. Futile words have been bandied about ; also the usual easy catch phrases such as "pushing Germany over the brink." If there is any brink to be pushed over Germany will have done it for herself knowingly and with malice for these last four years.
Now comes the French elementary plan of firmness, the one and only plan the Germans do understand or ever will understand. What a pity it was not tried long ago 1 It might have saved a great deal of this trouble. Even now it may have a measure of success ; if not, the French will then come into line with our ideas. It is a plucky thing for them to embark on such an excur- sion on their own account. It shows the courage of their opinions. The new plan deserves, at the very least, to be given a fair trial and our generous sympathy.—! am, Sir, &c.,
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