THE Entente is at an end. A few politicians and a few newspapers may for a short time make the poor pretence that it still exists, but the fact is patent that it does not. It has been the achievement of M. Poincaré to destroy in a few weeks what Edward VII. and the inheritors of his policy laboured for many years to build up. It has served France’s end very well, England poured out blood and treasure to save her. Her safety secured, France turns now to others. Punch was uncannily prophetic when a few months ago it pictured France embraced by the Turk, and speaking of England as “only someone I met during the war”. If England had connived at the supply of arms and officers to Germany in order to assist a new war against Belgium, and had supported Germany diplomatically, France would have been furious in protest. But she [has] espoused the cause of the Kemalists against Greece, forgetting that in the Great War her own troops were ranged with those of Greece against the Turk. An Entente rests upon a community of interest and upon mutual respect. When they disappear the Entente is gone. That is our case with France to-day, we can no longer count upon her co-operation. Recrimination would now be as idle as a refusal to admit the fact. Admiration for France in other than her international activities will endure, friendships between Englishmen and Frenchmen will remain unaffected. But the work of long years for the peace of Europe has been ruined in a few short weeks. There remains the duty of so strengthening the League of Nations that we may be insured against like disappointments in the future. It is not only in the cloister that particular friendships may be regarded as opposed to the common good.

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