New-York tribune., 1921-11-22

Copyright 1921. New York Tribune Inc.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 21.--Despite
,;r Baifour's compliments. Great Brit
~, is profoundly disappointed in the
seeech OF NJ. BRAND. 1t will be read
IN London as a negative uttcsance
based upon what viii be regarded as
skepticism not only over ideals but
oyer the wisest craftsmanship. NJ.
BRAND himself is considered to be q
man of liberal aims. But he cannot
advance far beyond the position of
those whom he represents. His pro-
ncuncement thus means that, despite
the bold lead of Secretary Hughes,
/ French opinion is still so entirely
, unaffected as yet by the atmosphere
! Of the Washington conference that
France must still stand committed to
what is nothing less than an unend-
ing feud with Germany. In other
words, there can never be, at any rate
in our day. reunited Europe.
! Britain fully agrees that many Ger
mans. still living, we're trained for
war They also have learned by bit
ter experience to hate war. And, in
our opinion Paris makes insufficient
allowance for the deposition of the
Kaiser and his kinglets, for the an
nexation of the German colonies, for
the destruction of the German fleet,
for the extension of the German fran
chise, for the dissolution of the Ger
man alliances and for the shattering
Of German credit as indicated by
mark reckoned as waste paper. M.
BRAND quoted Ludendorff. but Luden-
dorff's mind is necessarily unchanged.
He is an old managed at least by
defeat. But Ludendorff is only pri-
vate citizen.
Britain Fears New Napoleon
What Americans are now witnessing
at close quarters is the real difference
between the British and French way of
looking at things A glimpse of Yer
sailles has been transferred to Wash
ington The argument is precisely
Illustrated by NJ. Brands very piquant
alusion to the awakening of Prussia
against Napoleon. 1t happens that
Britain was then on the side of Prus-
sia, and why? Because Prussia was
lighting. not France nor the French
Napoleon over the whole of Europe
What Britain fears to-day is that an
overwhelming army in France, recruit
ed for the enforcement of an over
whelming treaty, may again drive a
beaten Prussia to awake. In other
words, Europe will never be safe until
neither France nor Germany maintains
conscript army. The see-saw has
gone on for centuries and if Europe is
TO be saved, it must stop. That is the
British position. 1t is not unfriendly
to France. 1t is, however, based upon
deep misgiving as to the wisdom of
tons contained in M. Brands address.
neither Britain nor the United States
could even approach the question of
assurances or guarantees. NJ. BRAND
virtually invited such guarantees, but
there was little indication in his speech
that if they had been forthcoming,
France would disarm. The declarations
made by Italy were obviously regretful
shat France had not seen her way to go
further. Yet the frontiers of Italy are
scarcely less exposed than are those of
her neighbor
Of course the externals of the great
scene to-day were all tribute to the
affection in which France is held by
her friends. The crowded galleries, the
rounds of applause, the Frenchman
eloquent-with his exquisite gestures,
sudden, graceful, significant, yet so en-
tlrely under his control-it was i'm
pressive-it was historic. Naturally
Mr.. Hughes, Mr.. Balfour every other
speaker in fact, assured M. BRAND that
france was in no sense "morally iso-
lated But her political isolation is
nom none the less inevitable and complete.
ms morning, one felt it.
Reverse for World-Peace Hope
What NJ. BRAND delivered was the
swan song of q great hope France
might have led Europe and Asia alike
along the paths that lead to demobili-
cation and peace. She has clung to
her army, to conscription, and all that
these imply.
1t is happily true that conscription
and also the French army are to be
reduced TO something a little less like
a war basis. But the reduction-prob-
ably decided upon anyway, whether
there had been a conference or not
was not sufficient to make out any
case in which pressure might be
brought to bear upon the other powers
IKE Jafan. For the European world
the decision of France must be very
serious. 1t perpetuates ornaments on
land with all that they mean-guns,
poison gas, high expenditure, insol-
vency and suspicion. AS long as
france SO insists, she must find her
self isolated specially in the new
world. Britain is not solely nor main
" country in Europe. She speaks
fer India and the dominions. An
armed and conscript France, without
faith in the deepening relationship be-
tween peoples which has developed at /
Washington to SO marked degree, |
cannot appeal to Canada, Australia |
New Zealand, South Africa. 1t is not |
POISONOUS propaganda to say so. 1t is
tne simple. unacceptable fact.
Dir. Balfour is himself inclined to
ne like the apostle Thomas--a doubter |
To-day he accepted the non possumus
% france as something against which |
there could he no appeal. NJ. BRAND !
- - OF course, returning to Paris, but |
d. Vlviani remains to lead the French |
de'egation. 1t is still pcssible---hcw-
ever improbable it may 5e-that in
,soE,'nttee disarmament oG land may |
ne approached from other and more |
.epetll angles. In most British quar- i
US there IS no great optimism over |
!Sg, because it Is SO obviously to the |
interest of Japan to retain her army, |
now thAt her fleets are to be reduced. I
une Tears very much thai the work of |
soe confareuce Is now limited to the |
nsyles and tAs Pac.6c problems. It is
srsat ~ora. But it leaves vast |
naksys.
Hughes May Yet. Save the Day
Ihsrs appear to be two, and only
,.wo. ways Of keeping disarmament en-
sShu 10 the front. The first is this: