FRANCE: The Ruhr--Public Opinion

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FRANCE

The Ruhr - Public Opinion

Anatole France, poet and philosopher, sounded the call of the opposition to the Government, although confining himself to damning the Treaty of Versailles. Speaking of the nineteenth century philosopher Renan, whose centenary has just been celebrated, M. France said that " he (Kenan) would have been shocked to see that so cruel a war was followed by a treaty which does not end it, which is nothing but the organization of disorder, hatred, discord and poverty in unfortunate Europe." Coming at such a time it is a deftly veiled disapproval of Poincare's policy in the Ruhr, but not too deft for the French public to seize upon.

Many Frenchmen are opening their eyes in pained surprise at the Government's policy in the Ruhr. They argue that all cannot be well when the price of necessary commodities rises week by week, when industries are obliged to close for the want of coal. And they are beginning to worry about the cost of the venture.

The bulk of the nation, however, still continues to support Poincaire. It is generally believed that Germany cannot hold out much longer and that at the dawn of French victory the Ruhr will be made to produce enough coal and the German Government enough gold to pay for the occupation and the overdue reparations.