New-York tribune., 1921-10-31
World Leaders
Realize ParIey
May Avert War
-
Behind Mask of Smiling OPP
s,s tirnism Thinkers Of the
.,s Powers Understand Its
Possibilities for Peace
France Fears Conflict
Britain Would Avoid Clash;
.; Japan Busy in Propaganda
Campaign Over Europe
rrnra a Speciol Correspondont

sone speaks of the Washington confer
.nce with the Thought leaders" of in
t.rested nations for the purpose of
ssterviewing, the answer is the Same.
The Frenchman asserts that the in
aissoluble spiritual union between
France and the United States survives
all and points to the oft repeated fra
,ernity of arms. The Englishman re-
fsrs to the bond of blood and language
snd the interests that tie the greatest
.epublic and the greatest empire. The
Japanese, with his ready smile. affirms
.hat at Washington there will be no
Danger of conflict
."How can America and Japan dis
agree" asks the Japanese diplomat.
sThere will be no question of immi-
grafton. We have made satisfactory
ccncessions regarding Shantung and
We are prepared to be reasonable about
,China and Siberia. AS for that small
euestion of zap, it is settled"
After q week or so of amiable con-
tersation with the men who are met
yne becomes optimistic. The question
scs Washington conference seems
even far-fetched because it promises
70 be a round OF handshaking and gen
eral exchange of compliments.
Smiling Optimism Still a Habit
Diplomatic niceties had long range
before the nations dropped the mask
in 1914 and discovered that Big
Bertha covered more ground. Smilinr
n Optimism is still habit here in Eurone
where diplomats and politicians gather
from every hemisphere. One can see
International questions from this point
o. view and then he may see them from
mother viewpoint if he dismisses the
demand for newspaper Identification of
irdivlduals In expressions of opinion.
The latter method comes nearer to get
ting at the frank truth. 1t is only
sfter considerable conversation with
these diplomats and politicians to be
found nowadays in Europe that the
following situation begins to develop:
farseeing and responsible men, in
France, England and Japan know and
realize to-day that the Washington
conference is to be more than hand
shaking, tea drinking affair They
know that 1T is big affair where the
prime question will be that of strife
Or peace in a large part of the world,
between nations with powerful re-
sources which were not greatly Grip
a bed by the war of 1914-'18, or who
hsre since that time been able to re-
sonstitute themselves in the matter of
Il fatlonal strength. European states
Msn at least are not oblivious Of the
fac. that the United States is prepared
Il a. Washington to explain to the for
Eer Allies of the European war that
81 the peace of the world may be threat
ensd and she is equally prepared to
q invite them into conclave with Japan
to come to an agreement for the main
B Ssnance of peace.
French Attitude
What are the sentiments and the at
ttude of an international melange of
statesmen, diplomats and politicians,
n whether from Japan France or Great
Britain, to be found here in Europe :?
The consensus seems to be:
In France the government is not nee
essarily strong. Most of the Deputies
DO not see the Washington confer
ence in the light of tragedy or impend-
ing tragedy. They look upon it as
possible opportunity to harass, or even
overthrow, ministry which does not
enjoy national popularity NJ BRAND,
despite his enemies, will probably rep
resent France in Washington. at least
during the early stage Of the confer
sne, and possibly again during the
most vital sessions. In the Premier's
sosence one Or two of his ministers
VII assume the temporary leadership
the government, this honor proba-
ay falling to NJ. Loucheur, Minister of
me ne devastated Regions, or M. Barthou,
sinister Of War, or both. Whatever
,ae leadership in Paris during M.
brands absence, the following will
M0mpt the governments policy in
Washington:
l-At any cost, France desires to
Iola a cause of conflict in the world
.sessse ueesuse IN the event of d conflict of
ssslIlcient magnitude to preoccupy ma
noas friendly to France in Europe or
Saelr armed forces, France feels that
Sermany would Immediately seize upon
as occasion for revenge, forcing
asnce to establish such an armed in
sa.snce s.ll,e to protect herself that this
s..uid su,d De rulnous to her finances and
'ssi 70 her economic readjustment.
"A. rance is almost entirely on the
sss VI America, from whom she con-
i,ss isrsss 10 hope for material aid and
Sum whom in all events she must
Il, .s' moral support in order to counter
SsOhg since the war.
a.. rance, on the other hand, is not
SsrsSalngly anxious to take an un-
M Gsuuiy .iy stand against Japan because
ae position of her Pacific Coast
is IN indo-China, which could cas-
"a, .s conquered by people anxious
u,as France is no longer basing her
MI pollcy on an alliance with Rus
"a wsae cue Is inclined toward Willingness
H. 'a'cn w Japanese expansion in a por-
Hi ho,. VI the old Russian empire, which
ktnn oeiieves should calm the immipra-
san.a appeute OF seventy-five millions of
H. Ea.ese. a. At need, she will offer this
9ums. ;" tne United States and may have
Eesss.a. mv.a rom other nations whose rep
rAn sVes are present in Washing
= III Pacific Would Injure Britain
TOM. british Empire is divided by
spa as interests regarding the oues-
Esast ~ ~ the Pacific, and it is natural
seetsSs SsAese sentiments should be re-
Skess IN the policies of Downing
9sstis... Through The Tribune's in
Auis.aaIlooh 1T would appear logical to
sttsS sne rough principles of the
Ns sia.d empires policy as seen from
iSes-in ir principle and in practice:
& &pfinclple Britain should profit
sAt ma. "af between her two rivals for
tse a0'ery OF the seas. but in prac-
l. paeisea conflict between two great
sas sol powers would be dangerous to
fuy'icy of London.
fib. &iVWever. q Grant p,;te;o done :, ~