The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1921-11-24
BRAND LEAVES
WITHOUT SECURING
WRITTEN PLEDGE
Premier RelterateS That
France Can DiSarm Only
If Powers Pledge to
Support Her

Washington, November 23.-Fac-
ing each other in the confidential
atmosphere of an executive session,
the delegations of the great powers
exchanged frank opinions today on
the limitation of armies as it touches
the situation in Europe but adj
journed without making a joint dec
laration of policy either as to the
European problem or the general
principles of land armament. Pre-
mier BRAND of France, making his
last appearance in the conference
before his departure for home, reit-
Grated the reasons that move his
country to maintain the largest
army in the world and suggested
that the only alternative would be
pledge by the powers to come to
the aid of France should Germany or
any other nation again threaten civ
ilization.
United States, Great Britain. Italy
ard Japan replied with renewed ex-
pressions of regard and sympathy for
the position of France. declaring
their governments firmly committed
to the defense of free Institutions and
giving assurances that the French
people had the moral support of all
the powers in facing the problem.
But no one came forward with
proposal to write such n pledge
into n public and Joint decinrn-
tion of policy, such ns NJ. BRAND
Indicated would be required TO
induce the French government to
reduce Its land forces beyond the
point already contem plated. Nei-
Their was there n move 10 form
uiate n comprehensive program
for land armament reduction like
that under consideration for naval
forces and the meeting ended aft
err designating subcommittees to
handle the collateral subjects of
aircraft, poison gasses and the
rules OF warfare.
Tonight NJ BRAND declared himself
well satisfied to take home with him
the oral expressions of moral support
voiced by the representatives OF tho
powers today and in Mondays open
session. There were indications that
some of the French had hoped he
might take along also formal writ
ten pledge, but the premier was said
to have realize fully the restraints
under which the other national groups
found themselves In dealing witt she
subject.
In any case the strong man OF
France" apparently is leaving the
conference confident that his principal
object in coming to America has been
accomplished and that IL any attempt
Is made to take up in detail the CUES
ton of land armament limitations the
negotiations never will take trend
inimcal to the French.
The designation of subcommittee
to deal with aircraft. poison gas ana
the rules of warfare brings into tne
negotiations several new elements
differing materially from most OF
those which hitherto have occupied
the attention OF any of these SUD
iects WITHOUT having the sanction Oh
All the other nations for IL. The ex-
mediation is that the work done here
will be merely a foundation for pos
sibla world wide conference to ham
die such problems.
Aircraft development as now pro-
ceeding under the direct supervision
Of the various governments Is &C
counted universally as giving prom
Use of sweeping effects on tne com
mercial world and 1t is taken for
granted that no measure will be pro
nosed that would seriously curta1
that development. The discussion o.
use of gases is expected merely 70
he a beginning for a world discussion
and the problem of revising the rules
on warfare must be, in the opinion
of the delegates, eithev put later INTO
the hands of a continuing commis
sion or referred to some worio uiou
nal like The Hague court