FRANCE AND THE Rum.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—Perhaps you will allow me to put forward a few points which seem to require explanation before one can entirely accept Sir Graham Bower's rather sweeping denunciation of France. He says this question " involves the honour and traditions and interests of the English nation, and the fate of our civilization and the welfare of Europe." If the occu- pation of the Ruhr involves all this, Sir Graham should tell us how it was that all parties in Parliament consented to this occupation in May, 1921 ; also Mr. Boner Law's statement that if Germany were swallowed up in an earthquake England would gain, not lose—requires explanation.
Then Sir Graham says : " I do not waste space in dis- cussing the French claims or French ambitions." I know nothing about " ambitions," but " French claims " can hardly be put aside so lightly. As to " the reign of militarism," " the rule of force," " military despotism," France seems to
me to be acting, with Belgium and Italy, very much as any creditor might act to such a debtor. Does anyone really believe that Germany will ever pay quite voluntarily ? Finally, I may quote last week's Spectator—a few lines :- "Colonel House thinks, as we do, that a great deal might be done to allay French fears if the principle of a demilitarized zone in the Rhinehmd,which is provided for in the Treaty, were not only made a reality but expanded. He is in no doubt that if the dread which seizes Frenchmen at the heart were removed they would be reasonable about reparation."
But I fear that Sir Graham Bower would denounce such an idea as being one of " force, despotism, militarism," and so forth.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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