The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1921-11-26
BY DAVID LAWRENCE. -....
Special Dispatch to The Reformer.)
DOWNRIGHT 1921.

Especial Dispatch to The hefofmer.)
Copyright 1921.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 26-Lord Cur
IONS speech warning France that policy
of isolation on her part may constitute
danger to the peace of the world is the
sensation of the day here. -..... d. r..
American officials were cautious about
explaining its significance though they ad-
mitted it may prove a turning point in
the history of the Washington conference
on limitation of armament.
The speech Of the British foreign minis
ter is the direct outgrowth of what trans
pired at the secret session of the arma-
ment committee of five powers last
Wednesday on the day after Premier
BRAND delivered his impassioned speech
to the full conference. 1t develops that
Premier BRAND, expecting a resolution of
endorsement of French military policy.
turned to the representatives of the other
powers and in speech that somewhat
Idismayed them proceeded to interpret the
, remarks of Mr.. Balfour and Mr. Hughes
/ in way that carried a much more thor
Tough approval of French policy than was
intended by the carefully qualified words
| of both. the heads of the British and
|
To DisillusiOn France. .-.a...-
/ To offset any exaggerated impressions
which the French people might have OF
the responses made to Premier Briand's
speech, the British government through
3 Lord CurZOn. foreign minister, has now
/ issued a warning in such unequivOcal
terms as is expected by British officials
TO prevent any misunderstanding when
Premier BRAND goes back to France.
J of a nj u
lone hand outside the family of nations
and particularly the intimations of an un
Willingness to subscribe to a definite ratio
on naval armament as well as a refusal ia
agree to a reduction of land armament
while Germany and Russia are uncertain
quantities has irritated the British very
much. Lord Curzon's warning that the
strength and protection of the French
cause does not consist of French arms but
in the conscience of the world" in which
he included the United States as well as
! European powers was interpreted here as
a direct contradiction of Premier Brands
argument last EueSday that the French
army alone was keeping France from an
invasion by Germany. Even more signifi
cant. however, * the pointed prediction
of the British foreign minister that 1--WE
shall convert Germany into peaceful
member of the international court OF
Europe only If thE' great powers comhin ne
not merely to enforce the treaty but to
make it 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 Germany.
/ There is talk of inviting Germany "a
send a representative to this conference
or one to be held in Europe at which Ger.
many will have a chance to announce nel
position. American officials of course. dc
/ not wish to discuss the enforcement of tbs
| Versailles treaty, but they would not b,
ayerSe to a discussion with Germany
which might bring out pertinent facts
land lead to a better understanding be
tween Germany and the rest of the world
In this connection it is recalled that be
fore the Washington conference begaT
there were limitations from White HOUSE
quarters that before armament sessions
were over nations represented here might
i talk to Germany in an effort to reliev,
! France of her fears and apprehensions
Premier BRAND has sailed for Europe. but
| he has left behind him a trail of politica
! embarrassments from which the confer
| ence has not vet recovered. The Italian
/ delegation at the now famous Wednesday
meeting which was held in secret insisted
upon seeing something done about land
| disarmament to which. of course Premier
/ Briand objected. When the French pre-
mier, too, asked in a rhetorical pause il
4 the United States and Great Britain
would give France defensive guarantees
and his speech was answered by an omin