Evening star., 1921-12-13
Success of Arms ParIey
Arouses Hopes for Setting
Europe's Economics.
REPORTS SAY BRAND AND
LLOYD, GEORGE May COME
Suggestion Made That British Pre-
mier May Lay Whole Question
Before President Harding.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON, December 13.-Rumors of
the possibility of an international
economic conference in Washington,
which have been current here during
the last few days. were the subject of
comment in the London morning
newspapers today. 1t is not assumed
that such a conference has been de-
cided upon.. but the success of the
armament conference has aroused
hopes that the economic troubles in
Europe may be settled by a similar
gathering.
Connected with the rumors are more
OF less vague reports that Prime Min
ister Lloyd George and Premier
BRAND of France intend to go to
Washington together after the French
Premier's visit here next week.
Reports Are ConnictinE.
The Daily Mail claims to have re-
ceived official information from Down
ms street that Mr.. Lloyd George Is
unlikely to go to America for some
months. but instead plans taking a
vacation trip to southern France after
the coming parliament session. On
tho other hand, the Times says: 1.-The
suggestion is hazarded that after next
weeks conferences with NJ. BRAND
MIR. Lloyd George might not deem the
moment fnopportune to lay the whole
question of the needs of shattered
Europe before President Harding, who
undoubtedly has the warmest sympa-
thy for the stricken continent. Should
Mr.. Lloyd George take the initiative
IN appealing to him to summon an
other conference to consider world
economic and financial conditions, the
appeal. 1t is thought, might not be un-
availing."
Wide Range Indicated.
1t is believed in any case that
the conversation between the Brit
ish and French premiers next week
Will take wider range than the
single question of German repara-
tions. and this supposition is largely
the basis of today's press speculation
concerning possible new. confer
The Daily Telegraph. while not re i.
gardfng such a conference as yet
more than an idea, says the idea
has very considerable popular sup
port.
mo single European government
feels able to take the initiative, or
confident that. if 1t should do so. its
action would meet with approval"
says the newspaper, but, fortunate
ly. the progress of the present con-
ference has given much increased
solidity to the conception of a con-
ference under American auspices to
examine the economic situation Of
the world. No European government
can afford any appearance of urging
such action on Washington. and the
"a q tint u
to defeat its own end"
Suggests U. s. Initiative.
After discussing some of the diff
f1culties in the way of such a plan.
the newspaper suggests that "any
American initiative would be well
coined with enthusiasm by every en-
lightened government"
The Morning Posts financial editor,
forecasting some sort of international
economic conference before long, says:
"Such a conference. If participated In
by America, would undoubtedly be a
welcome development" He does not
see much hope in such a step. how
ever, urging that "the principle Of
self help is Indispensable to working
out the problem"
Sees Gain to World.
The Westminster Gazette thinks
that, provided an agreement can be
reached between M. BRAND and Mr..
Lloyd George. there would be an
enormous gain to the world IL Amer
lea consented to become a party to
discussions of reparations questions.
Such a conference as foreshadowed
by political gossips." it says, sis an
essential preliminary to q world set
tlement. and such a conference would
be comparatively fruitless If America
is not prepared to take a full, If not
chief, part in the deliberations. But,
unless a real agreement is reached be-
tween Mr.. Lloyd George and NJ. Bri-
and, nothing could be less desirable
than that France and England again
should go to America and reopen their
controversies there"