THE RHINE AND AGREEMENTS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] Sia,--From Le Malin of March 28th : " Britain ought to appreciate not only the position of France but also her foreign obligations. Fortification of the Rhine would isolate France from her Allies in Central and Eastern Europe and would prevent rapid action by France in ease of an Eastern conflict."
• The eat is out of the bag. Germany is not to be allowed to fortify her French frontier in order that, if Germany comes to blows with France's Eastern Allies, she may be at France's mercy. Can we wonder at Hitler's refusal to leave his country defenceless, when the net is laid so very clearly in the sight of the bird " Never glad confident morning again" until France has Germany just where she wants her.
One further point of great importance. Neither the Foreign Secretary nor any member of the Cabinet has met the charge that not only France but this country too breaks its treaties when convenient. The point on which Lloyd George challenged them was our virtual repudiation of the American loan. Sir Austen Chamberlain somewhat rashly endeavoured to reply. " So long as it was within our means," raid lie, we paid what was due in full. So far as I am aware, we have not repudiated our loan to the U.S." True, we have not repudiated. We have just stopped paying. Hitler's way is at least more candid.
Government newspapers and supporters have with one accord been silent on the charge. Saturday's " Broadcaster " on " The Week in Parliament " reviewed both speeches but did not mention the challenge. Earlier in the Parliamentary debate Mr. Eden uttered the noble sentiment : I am not prepared to be the first British Foreign Secretary to go back on a British signature." His colleague the Chancellor of the Exchequer has no such reluctance.
Can it be wondered at that foreigners so often regard us as hypocrites ? The day after the debate Senator Borah told America that our repudiation of the War debt was worse than Germany's action. " Versailles," he said, " was signed under duress." So indeed to some extent was Locarno, for by signing it the period of occupation of Germany by foreign troops was shortened. What " gesture " can we ask Germany to make for her breach of Locarno when we, by dishonouring our signature, have got away with ngarly fine hundred millions of money belonging to another country ?-
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