Evening star., 1921-11-25
.Curzon Speech
Is Regarded
as Warning.
TURNING POINT
SEEN In FARLEY
British Irritated
Delegates Uneasy
Over Friction.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Lord Curzon's speech. warning
France that a policy of isolation on
her part may constitute a danger to
the peace of the world is the sensa-
tion Of the day here.
American officials were cautious
about explaining its significance
though they admitted it may prove
q turning point in the history of the
Washington conference on limitation
OF armament.
Outxrowth of secret Session.
The speech of the British foreign
minister is the direct outgrowth of
what transpired at the secret session
of the armament committee of five
powers last Wednesday, on the day
after Premier BRAND delivered his
impassioned speech to the full con-
ference. 1t develops that Premier
BRAND, expecting a resolution of in
dorsement of French military policy.
turned to the representatives OF the
other powers. and in speech that
somewhat dismayed them, proceeded
to interpret the remarks of Mr..
Balfour and Mr.. Hughes in a way
that carried a much more thorough
approval of French policy than was
intended by the carefully qualified
words of both the heads of the
British and American delegations.
To Offset any exaggerated impress
sions which the French people might
possibly have of the responses made
to Premier Brands speech. the Brit
ish government through Lord Cur
zon, foreign minister, has now issued
a warning in such unequivocal terms
as is expected by British officials to
prevent any misunderstanding when
Premier BRAND gets back to France.
British Declared Irsitated.
Indeed, fhS tendency Of France to
play a lone hand outside the family
nations, and particularly the inti-
nations of an unwillfngness to sub
scribe to a definite ratio on naval
armament, as we'll as a refusal to
agree to a reduction of land arma-
nent while Germany and Russia are
uncertain quantities, has irritated the
British very much.
Lord Curzon's warning that the
strength ard protection of the French
hut in the conscience of the world,
in which he included the United States
as well as European powers, was in
terpreted here rs a direct contradiction
of Premier BRANDS argument last
Tuesday that the French army alone
by Germany. Even more significant.
however, is the pointed prediction of
the Britih foreign minister that I'VE
shall convert Germany into a peace
full member Of the international court
OF Europe only if the great powers
t1
treaty, but to make 1t clear that no
policy of retaliation or revenge will
be tolerated by them, and that they
will assist Germany to play her part,
provided she shows sincerity and good
faith
May Invite German Delegate.
There is talk of inviting Germany
to send representative to this con-
ference or one to be held in Europe
at which Germany will have a chance
to announce her position. American
officials, of course, do not wish to dis
cuss the enforcement of the Versailles
treaty, but they would not be averse
to a discussion with Germany which
might bring out pertinent facts and
lead to a better understanding be-
world. In this connection it is re-
called that before the Washington
conference began there were intima-
tions fror; TvnIte House quarters that
before the armament sessions were
over the nations represented here
might talk to Germany" in an effort
to relieve France of her fears and
apprehensions.
Premier BRAND has sailed for Eu-
rope, but he has left behind him a
trail Of political embarrassments from
which the conference has not yet re-
covered. The italian delegation at
the now famous Wednesday meeting,
which was held in secret, insisted
upon seeing something done about
Premier BRAND objected. When the
French premier. too. asked. in rhe-
'torical pause. IL the. United States and
Great Britain would give France de-
fensive guarantees and his speech was
answered by an ominous silence. he
promptly faced about and outlined the
necessity Of policy of isolation on
the part of France, which he hoped
the other powers would not disap-
prove.
First Controversy to Arise.
In other words, he indicated that
France, unhelped by Great Britain
ana Ine CHIlSu oldtcS, fHuSl nave a
free hand on the continent of Eu-
rope The American delegation
made no comment, but the British
felt the occasion should not pass
without instant action by their gov
ernment. London cablegrams say
fatty that the CurSon speech was
made with particular reference to
tEc Washington conference. and the
assumption here Is that the British
cabinet acted upon advices from this
capital after what occurred at the
Wednesday meeting. Incidentally,
this incident is the first in which a
controversy has arisen over the true
meaning of an utterance in the con-
f.dential sessions, and that school of
thought which advocates open ses-
Sions, even for the committees, is
contending that misunderstanding or
riisintefpretation would never have
been possible IL the meetings were
open 10 the press. to which. of course.
The answer is made that the British
government has promptly exposed the
N..cle affair to the air of public opin-
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