The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-03-20


 most concise summary of the con ference when he returned to Berlin Upon being asked what had been ac- omplished, he replied:
 We saved the Briand ministry"
 M. Briand appears to have fallen into the same error that CIemen- ceau made when he was head of the French government, namely, letting all of the economic advan- tages at the conference go to Eng land, in return for the illusion of military power.
 BRITAIN WELL SATISFIED
 By this maneuver. the premier un- doubtedly conquered the reactionary votes in tho Chamber, but already 1t seems apparent that the economic ad- yantages to be derived by France from the arrangements of the London con- ference are really trifling. compared to the enormous sums due tia.s coun- try. On the other hand, Great Britain seems we'll satisfied with the extreme ly high tax arranged on exports from Germany. What this latter really amounts to is 8 customs tariff with blank schedules an arrangement which permits Mir. Lloyd Geeorge and his government to raise or lower duties at will. It is obvious that this arrange ment can be used to great political advantage. aside from affording q convenient weapon against German dumping. Competent economists say that the pretense that this is not q tax and will not raise the price of goods Is childish.
 Tho French newspapers and French statesmen are beginning to perceive that the great Briand vic- tory at London was another Pyrrhic one in which France car- ried off all the honors, but little else. 1t is extremely probable
 therefore, that if the premier can- not repair some of the damage, he may be forced to abandon "allied solidafity" as the key to his policy
 and to seek another one.
 VIVIANI'S MISSION
 In the circumstances the departure of former Premier Viviani for America today seems very timely. While M. Viviani goes to Washington with the hope that America can be induced to come into the League of Nations, with Article xRnd some other objection able features eliminated, he is not go. ing to put himself in the position of demanding the league or nothing.
 M Viviani is 9 sincere believer in the league, but he realizes the United States may refues to Join under any conditions. The significance of the Vii viani visit lies in the fact that he Is q member of the leagues amendments committee, constituted for the special purpose of considering any amend ments the United States may demand and unquestionably he will go into tn, phase of the question with President Harding and his Secretary of State Mir. Hughes.
 M. viviani. moreover. is thorough democrat. and though no longer a social ist, he belongs decidely to the left side of French politics If he is able to negc- tiate any kind of an understanding with the United States. whether it includes the League of Nations or not. the accom- plishment would be of such nature as to strengthen the liberals and progress sives and win back to the Briand minis try the progressive support that the break with England threatens to with. draw.
 REPORT UNFOUNDED
 There is, no foundation for the report that M. viviani will discuss new loans with the United States or that he will make any proposals concerning the can cellation of the French indebtedness tt the American government The warning of NJ. Jusserand, the French ambassador ct Washington, that this was a sore sub feet in the United States, has been con firmed. and is just what the French gov ernment felt several months ago wher
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