A Draw?

The German Government officially ordered passive resistance to cease in the Ruhr, thus sweeping aside the primary French objection to a conference on the gigantic problem of reparations. How far the order from Berlin will be observed by the workers in the Ruhr is a question for the future. In the meantime Chancellor Stresemann decided to resume deliveries in kind to the Allies. These deliveries were discontinued by Chancellor Cuno after the French occupation of the Ruhr on Jan. 11.

Premier Poincare of France received the news of Germany's decision to give up the Ruhr fight with great satisfaction, but he awaited more definite orders from Berlin before placing any reliance in the word of the Government. Work must be continued in the Ruhr before France will consent to a conference with Germany. Unbiased opinion regarded the French occupation as a mistake on the ground that the move lacked economic wisdom. There was never any question of France being morally justified in coercing Germany. At all events Premier Poincare, in the face of virulent opposition to his Ruhr adventure, has stuck courageously to his purpose and under that head deserves the admiration of the world.

Victory for either side in the Euhr struggle is a myth. It has cost Germany billions of paper marks, a number of killed, many wounded, many prisoners. Moreover, it has crippled the financial and economic life of the Reich, undermined political institutions and caused great suffering among the people. The cost to France has also been great. Millions of francs have been expended, lives lost. The gain in coal, etc., has been out of all proportion to the cost or to what France might have got out of the Ruhr by pursuing different tactics.

Future events will show that Germany has not surrendered unconditionally to the French. The Stresemann Government is known to have a secret agreement with France, Belgium and Britain guaranteeing to her complete sovereignty in the Ruhr and Rhineland. If for any reason the Allies forsake this agreement, the German Government will still hold the master card. They can throw open the doors of government to Monarchists and Communists and let the Allies do what they like. Such a situation both the Allied and German Governments are extremely anxious to avoid, and this is the greatest guarantee for rehabilitation of Europe.