The New York herald., 1921-11-29
WHY FRANCE CLOSES
PARLEY TO GERMANS
No Business Which Calls
for Her Presence, Viviani
Explains.
NO NAVAL PROBLEM
Her Finances Were Settled
in Weisbaden and by
Other Treaties.
NO NAVAL PROBLEM
BY RALPH COURTNEY.

By RALPH COURTNEY.
Special Despatch to THE New YosK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c.. Nov -.
M. Rene Viviani, the head Of the
French arms delegation, in conversa-
ton with THE NEW YORK HERALD to-
night outlined the opposition the
French. feel toward inviting the Ger
mans either to the present or to fu-
ture Washington conferences.
His opinion is expressed with diplo-
matte reserve. but its meaning is clear
that in no sense do the French believe
the Germans have any business in
Washington. Even in respect to
financial matters it is made clear the
French are not asking some other ar
rangement be substituted for the
Weisbaden and other agreements ar
rived at by direct negotiation between
French and Germans.
To sum up the French argument. 1t Is
this: This conference has nothing to
do with affairs In Europe so far as the
French have been informed and con-
at the present conference. 1t also is
evident from developments in the last
few days that the American Govern
ment Is faced by a concerted movement
on the part of European delegations to
leave the conference well before Christ
mas. If America wants to continue
the discussions beyond the first two
weeks Of December she may have to
do so in the presence of minor dele
81
NJ. Viviani says politely in regard to
this point that OF course he would not
think of going in the event of crisis
in the discussions, but this statement
itself implies it would take something
in the nature OF a crisis to stop the
movement Europeward on the part of
himself and presumably several other
leading delegates.
No Seat for Germans.
Referring to the Germans. M. viviani
said:
"It has been said q movement Is on
foot to enlarge the scope OF the present
conference. This idea is mentioned es-
pecially in connection with certain
Powers who are supposed to wish this
to take place. OF course, do not know
whether this Is so. / have no official
Information on the matter. Germany.
however, 'S spoken Oh III THIS COnncc-
ton. and an invitation to her to attend
Is spoken of as part of the process of
enlarging the conferences scope. AL
though Germany may not be asked to
the present session, IL is suggested she
might come here on future occasions.
"In these circumstances, since I am
asked, 1t may be useful to express the
French point of view In doing this
must say 1t Is not clear to me what Ger
many has to do at the present confer
ence. She has lost her possessions in the
Pacific. and consequently can have no
reason for taking part in discussions
about the Far East. On the other hand,
the disarmament of Germany has al
ready been dealt with by the Treaty of
Versailles and Is therefore not a subject
that need be taken up here.
Finally, financial questions remain.
These also were dealt with by the Ver-
saiiles treaty and subsequent arguments,
and we have no information leading us
to believe this conference proposed again
to discuss the questions settled by the
Versailles Treaty. Europe was faced
with number of financial problems
arising out Of the war. and we have en-
deavored to settle them by means of
several agreements. Notably in regard
to the question OF reparations, we have
entered into agreements direct with the
Germans as the result of negotiations
which took place at Wiesbaden between
NJ. Loucheur and Herr Rathenau
Favors RaDprochement.
France wishes to continue the rela-
tions established between France and
Germany. We desire to encourage the
growth OF the democratic spirit in Ger
many and to endeavor to establish a rep
rochement between our two countries.
"All these problems are affected by
the suggestion that the Washington con-
ference be enlarged.
III Washington proposes to discuss
reparations, II the pretext is put forward
that the subject of Germany is one
which concerns the whole world. II the
washington conference proposes again
TO go over oil the subjects that have
already been dealt with elsewhere. II is
TO be expected that France would have
Deen the first nation to be Informed of
this and that clear programme stating
all this would have been put before her.
1t would In any circumstances be
necessary to reach an agreement about
such programme beforehand.
III Germany Is invited to the Wash
ington conference will the rest OF the
world act as guarantee for her? In the
matter of debts, for instance. will thew
guarantee her fulfilment of her obliga-
tions? If the Germans are now asked
10 come here and make new promises IL
must obviously be on the basis that
those who wish to invite her should
undertake to guarantee that she will
live up to her obligations. We have no
assurance whatever that they are pre-
pared to do this"
Questioned on the subject of his pro-
posed departure from America on De-
cember IL. M. viviani stated that when
he came to Washington 1t was decided
he would have to leave at about this
date.
when was accorded the honor and
privilege of attending this conference {"
added M. Viviani, II made Il clear 10
the American Government i had certain
preoccupations and Il would be neces-
sary for me to leave. or course, I
would not leave IL any serious crisis
developed which would require my pres
ence, but II. on the other hand. the ques-
ton Is only ono where technical experts
can continue the discussion this would
be different. BY crisis mean for in
stance. crisis In the matter OF naval
disarmament OF some other important
problem. In that case my duty to my
country must obviously come before my
private affairs. Otherwise my departure
is already fixed for December a.
Asked concerning French naval plans.
NJ. Vivianf said that in the French view
the question OF naval limitation did not
for the moment concern the French.
Our naval experts" he concluded
ARE of course studying this matter but
the discussion in regard to France has