FRANCE AND THE RUHR.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] Sm,—In your attitude towards France in the Ruhr everyone who is too proud to fight, every pacifist, every pro-German is with you ; but, so far as I know, the men who followed Roosevelt's lead and made America join the Allies are bitterly disappointed with the British Government and with you. In so far as this policy is based on a wish to please America, if it is, it is mistaken. You are pleasing here not your friends but your enemies—and, in the minds of your friends, you have deserted France and have encouraged Germany to persist in her mistaken course. If France fails, Britain is responsible for that failure and you will then have a Germany which, having cancelled both its internal and external debts, will be in a position to dominate the world's markets.
It is incomprehensible to me that British policy should favour such a course ; but I remember how, before the War, Britain would not heed the warnings from France of Germany's preparations, and the present inability to follow the clear- sighted lead of France is of a piece with that stupidity which ridiculed the efforts of the Spectator and those of Lord Roberts in pre-War days. The desertion by Great Britain of her Allies in the War must fill friends of Great Britain with shame and sorrow.—I am, Sir, &c.
New Britain, Conn., U.S.A. CHARLES F. SMITH.
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