In the region of foreign affairs there is not much
to be said which is of good omen. The telegrams of Thursday show that the Reparations Commission has declared Germany to be in voluntary default in regard to her timber deliveries. This declaration was made in spite of the strong protest of Sir John Bradbury, the British delegate. It is argued that according to the strict letter of the law the French now have the right " to proceed alone " if they so choose against Germany. But though the French, who are great bargainers and meticulous in asserting their legal rights, will no doubt not fail to proclaim their rights, we shall be very much surprised if they act upon them. They have of late, we believe, come to realize how tremendous would be the reactions against them which must occur in this country, and also in America, if they were to take preci- pitate action or to demand their full pound of flesh upon a punctilio. But here again harm and not good must be the result of premature criticism. When everything turns upon the interpretation to be given to the word " respective " in the Agreement, as it is alleged it does, newspaper discussion is not likely to be very helpful. Still, it will take a great deal to make us believe that a dangerous interpretation of the word " respective " is the whisper which is going to dislodge the avalanche.
