Paris, Nov. 1.
In spontaneously undertaking not to take advantage of powers conferred by the Treaty of Versailles for the sequestration ets money and cee individuals, the British Gov-property belonging to German pri-
ernment has caused more uneasiness and anxiety in ~France than at any time during the laborious negotiations to which the treaty has given rise. The French are convinced that in taking this action without notice to France, England has weakened the treaty and encouraged Germany to resist the enforcement of France's claim for compensation. They even go 80 far as to argue that England has comniitted a breach of faith.
The French say that after the occupation of Frankfort there was an exchange of letters in which it was stipulated that no one ally should henceforth take isolated or independent action. Every ally was to notify the others and obtain their consent before making any change in the situation. The question now is whether the British action constitutes such a modification of the position as to come within the scope of the agrecment prohibiting—_ independent action. The Frencch maintain that England has weakened the effect of the treaty and thereby damaged the common interest of the allies. The British deny this, and point out that trade with Germany will be impossible if German property in Great Britain is permanently liable to confiscation.
Two Points or View.
It is another case of conflict between two conceptions, one being that ai debtor who has recognized his debt must be compelled to pay, while the other is that the debtor must be handled gently in the interest of other creditors. The present conflict complicates the converatién which has been going on for a month on the reparation question. The Chancellor of the Exchequer has just said that the British Government's renunciation of rights under clause 18 was because this question was on the agenda for the Geneva conference, which was not taking place. As everyone knows that the opposition to the Geneva conference (except as a meeting of experts to discuss details) comes from France, the impression prevails here that England is trying to put pressure on France by showing. that she is quite prepared to take her own line if France does not adopt her point of view on the reparations question. One can only hope that this serious divergence between France and England will be adjusted before the date of pay-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.