The Ruhr from London

Public opinion of all shades of thought is fairly well united in condemnation of French policy in the Ruhr, but consideration of events in Germany has given way to consideration of the Government's future policy.

Mr. J. St. Loe Strachey, editor of The Spectator, points out that the Ruhr is becoming a second Alsace-Lorraine and reminds his countrymen that "one Alsace-Lorraine cost us one million dead." The New Statesman, another British weekly, energetically recommends "action" to the Government. It goes on to agree with the policy of leaving the Army on the Rhine, and while deploring Mr. Lloyd George's foreign policy, it says "he was the fully authorized spokesman of Great Britain, and we cannot repudiate responsibility for what he did. We must stay in Cologne. It is at least a pied a terre from which we can exercise pressure which could not be exercised from London."

"Wait and Hope " is the new slogan of the Government. Mr. Bonar Law admits that the French are taking the wrong course, but seems to take to his election cry of "I hardly know where I stand." His cabinet is divided on this issue.

Underneath this turmoil of criticism lies grave concern at the clouded future of British commercial interests.