NEWS OF THE WEEK
IT is by no means clear why the British and American Govern- ments should have chosen this particular moment to announce their intention to hand back the Ruhr industries to German owner- ship. The decision may be right in itself, but it runs clean counter to the insistent French demand for internationalisation, and anything that tends to weaken the latest French Government when its existence is (as usual) at stake is a serious matter on all grounds. What is still more disturbing, the new announcement, coming on the eve of London discussions on the management of the Ruhr mines and the distribution of their products—as distinct from the separate question of ownership—looks unpleasantly like an attempt to present the French with a fait accompli, even though some brief warning had been given. It is, of course, essential to take every step calculated to stimulate production in the Ruhr in the interests of European economy as a whole, and France, in a minority of one, cannot permanently impede a solution which commends itself to the British and Americans ; but it may well be doubted whether the right thing has been done in the best way. At the same time it would be difficult to single out the Ruhr industries alone for internationalisation, and they can clearly not remain indefinitely under the occupation authorities. If, moreover, they are to go back to Germany it must be for Germany to decide whether they shall be nationalised or be run under private enterprise. What is essential is that every possible safeguard against the Ruhr being used to serve rearmament shall be taken. Any pressure France exerts in that direction will be abundantly justified. It is important on psycho- logical as well as military grounds that the fullest assurances should be given to her.
