Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-11-21
Powers United
in Pledging
New Cuts.
BERLIN MENACE
is RECOGNIZED
Prussianism Alive
Despite Defeat,
SAYS Premier.

Says Premier.
Ry the Associated Press.
Acting In unison again, spokesmen
of the great powers at the arms con-
ference today pledged themselves to
reduction of land armament. but ac-
cording to the varying conditions
which they outlined as affecting their
assurances of national security.
In a dramatic hour Aristide BRAND.
seven times premier of France. out
lined the fears Of France of an at
tempt at restoration Of Prussianism
in the former central European em-
pires. and Arthur James Balfour.
heading the British delegation. rose
in his place and in solemn words
practically pledged Great Britain to
the aid of France in any future threat
of the lust of military domination.
BRAND at His Best.
BRAND, strong man of France. ac-
knowledged by Lloyd George as hav-
ing the best parliamentary voice in
Europe. was at his best as in electric
phrases he pictured Germany dis
and with a powerful faction preach
ing the doctrines of military restora-
tion. Germany. he said, could mobilize
between 100000 and 100000 men
trained in war and her 1ndustriai
ingenuity would enable her to equip
them quickly as menace to civiliza-
tion and the world.
In the face of that, the French pre-
Inier declared, France was ready to
reduce her army to half its former
&trength. but not to the point which.
he said, would expose France to peril.
Speaking for Italy. Senator Schant
GER expressed sympathy for the situa-
tion of France, and said his country
was planning further reduction in
uer land forces.
knto for Defense Alone.
For Japan, Baron Admiral kato
Of maintaining land forces greater
than those absolutely necessary for
rLrely defensive purposes made nee
easary by the far eastern situation"
other leaders spoke in the same
vein. and in conclusion Secretary
Hughes assured Premier BRAND that
france was in no sense in a moral
isolation and that the United States
fully realized her position.
The heart of America, said MIR.
hughes, carried an imperishable menu
ory of Frances sacrifices for liberty. He
agreed with NJ. BRAND that what the
world needed was "a will to peace"
Liberty Must BE Secure.
And there can be no will to peace"
he added, until the institutions of
say in reply to M. BRAND that there
IL no moral isolation for the de-
tenders of liberty and justice"
Although details of land armament
reduction could not be examined now.
Mr.. Hughes continued. the disposi-
tion shown by the representatives of
the powers today gave hope of an
ultimate solution.
BY unanimous consent the question
of land armament was referred to the
Of he nf 10
powers.
The picturesque .strong man" of
France, acknowledged by Lloyd
George as having 'the finest parlia-
drawing card which packed Memorial
Hall Of the Daughters Of the American
Revelation with such gathering Of
distinguished notables as seldom is
found under the roof of one building.
The premiePs voice, ordinarily
vibrant and penetrating. and particu-
larly rich in overtones, was modu-
lated to fill the hall and no more.
A Personal Speech.
The effect upon the auditor was as
though the statesman was speaking
directly and personally to him. rather
than to a large gathering. There was
no display of cold storage" elo-
quence.
NJ. BRAND had before him a slip or
two of notes. which he laid on the
big green table, but he did not refer
TO them. and in this respect followed
his manner of speaking from the
tribune of the chamber of deputies.
NJ. BRAND radiates force and intel
lectual power, and today his every
intonation and gesture indicated that
he felt the seriousness of his subject
and it's great Importance to France.
Indeed, he came to Washington, his
friends on the delegation declared,
more to make the explanation of the
French position on land armament
than for any other purpose.
Minister Striking Figure.
Five feet six. and heavy of body. the
French prime minister was striking
figure. as. fired by his own eloquence,
he pleaded for his native soil.
A Closeup" view of the French
premier shows that his eyes are blue
rather an unusual color among the
large and most expressive Of emotion.
But they snap and flash fire and ap-
pear dark as he plunges headlong into
his subject; they are touched with
and penetrating, pleads for France.
Big jam Outside Hall.
There was a big jam outside the
meeting hall. when the doors opened
Members Of the Senate and House, as
usual. had a major allotment Of gal
Iery seats. most of which were occu-
pied, however, by women.
Early arrivals found three power
full searchlight machines set up to
enable photographers and movie op-
orators to get pictures Of the confer
ence in action.
The demand for seats was not un-
like that which attends champion
ship prize fight.
'Tickets would be worth a $1,000
If speculators had them," said a mem
ber of a foreign delegation. But
there was no evidence of speculating.
Prince Tokugawa Of Japan was the
first of the delegation members to
reach the hall, half an hour before
the opening.
Photographs Are Taken.
Secretary Hughes called the con-
ference to order at 11:01 am, after
photographs had been taken Of the
historic occasion. for the nrst time.
In Introducing the subject Of land
armament, Secretary HuGhest said
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