The New York herald., 1921-11-23
BY EDWIN c. HILL.

Special Despatch to THE New YORK HnnALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington, ID. O., Nov. 22.
The French are palpably glad as
BRAND prepares to go home. They were
rather in the dumps when the confer
ence began. low spirited. little pessi-
mistic. Tonight they see their future
brightly. France. revealing the faith
ful wounds of a friend. receives from
Balfour and Hughes those blessed con-
solations in distress" that Wordsworth
mentioned. There was a merry cele-
bration last night In the French quarters
at the Willard and the gayety inspired
by the replies Of Great Britain and
America 20 Brands appeal for moral
support still sparlrles like the cham
payne Of Epernay
The doers Of the conference, too busy.
too sensible Of responsibility to their
peoples to be sceptical and cynical, see
In the vital words Of Balfour and
Hughes a happy. eventual solution Of
the land armament question. They are
convinced that France, reassured by
Great Britain and America, will set
about army reduction sincerely. BRAND
himself. obviously delighted. obviously
touched. says his mission here has been
success and that he takes new hope
homo to his people. He says shrewdly
that the purport of what Balfour and
Hughes said will not be overlooked by
Germans.
The French attitude is further proof
chat the conference Is getting some-
where. An agreement on naval reduc-
tion Is regarded as certain. Hardly less
certain Is a solid understanding. ''joint
and severally," as the lawyers say. about
what China is and how China shall be
treated in future. Men who know and
are not merely guessing are confident
that other Far Eastern puzzles will be
worked out amicably. In all these mat
ters set Of principles Is laid down.
Then come workout details one by one.
It's the Hughes method, orderly busi-
nesslfke. All should be settled by
Christmas. In the meantime. through
yesterdays historic session, France Is
heartened, bellicose Germans are warned
and the Allies are brought more closely
together.
These are the views and conclusions
Of American, French and British dele
gates with whom this writer has dis
cussed the work up to now. and the
meaning of the replies to Brands ap-
peal for France. 1t Is irnpossfl ,e to as
sumo that these responsible persons are
playing hypocritical game of any Sort
Their words and their manner are pretty
obviously true hearted and candid
Among the British that count there is
no apparent suspicion of or hostility
toward France. Earnest desire to Tighten
burdens and to cheer humanity every
where is the spirit manifest. Unless all
men are liars this Is the plain note
Of the conference.
In spite Of incomprehensible jbes and
sneers from those whom the British call
unofficial persons" the conference
steams ahead, soberly putting in so
many hours a day In constructive work
In committees. with every day showing
distinct advance along the road OF
public expectation. Curiously enough, it
appears there is set of writer's report
ing the conference from the scholarly
seclusion Of their hotel rooms Gone never
sees them at interchanges between dele
gates and working newspapermen) who
display a hind OF peevishness because
matters are progressing so smoothly.
When one knows that the President is
greatly encouraged. that Mr.. Hughes Is
certain of positive results. that Mr.. Bal
and is "serenely confident" that BRAND
goes away much happier than he came,
that the Japanese are Offering unex-