Evening star., 1922-01-02
FRESH HOPE TAKEN
IN PARLEY RESULTS
Disappointment Over French
Stand Gives Way Before
RecapituIation.
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

1t is not alone the psychological in
fuence of the season-when every
body is disposed to take a fresh grip
on life and stake out a new claim on
hope-which animates arms confer
ence circles to heightened activity
with prospect of achievement. There
is solid foundation for expectation Of
writing into the record a measure of
agreement among the nations which
will benefit the world.
The past few days. when France
dashed the hope of the world for a
larger limitation of naval armament,
were the darkest of the life of the
thus far. Disappointment,
while keen, did not brood despair. but
induced to recapitulation OF results
sand forecast Of others
still deemed possible.
SO this week starts with this stock
taking proceeding showing an en-
inventory. There are still
things to be done which can be rea-
sonably regarded as within the
range Ct accomplishment The fact
that the topliners among the dele
gates are preparing to return to
expedite speedy determination of
what can be done and the doing Of it.
VIII Pass Up Doubtful Issues.
Far eastern problems are counted
upon as presenting the immediate
agenda for conference action. The
next few days should show whether
they arr susceptible for adjustment
or present phases threatening pro-
lcnged discussion and argument It
is thought that the delegates are in
no mood for extending the confer
ence beyond the middle of this
month and will quickly pass up" the
problems whose early solution seems
unlikely or even prOblematical
1t Is thought that the conference
will be wary about exposing to issue
any acute questions the presenta-
tion of which might tend to create
i'll feeling between nations. 1t is the
sincere hope of the guiding spirits
meeting may adjourn without an
other untoward incident that would
tarnieh the partial record of achieve
ment with a sting Of bitterness. The
blow administered to the naval
limitation program by France Is
CldSSou dS SuIllCluS III tufS ulTcCIIOH.
Time, the healer, Is expected to
lessen the irritation thus far created,
and thoughtful men in the con-
ference believe that when the meet
ing Is considered in retrospect under
the mellowing influence of calm con-
sideration, it will, despite the limited
measure of enactment, bulk large in
the vista of great events of the
world.
See Other Conferences.
Already the proponents Of the con-
ference and the enthusiastic partici-
pants are looking forward to other
conferences to come which will carry
on the work undertaken at Washing
ton. 1t is said to be certain that the
world will not rest content with the
scope of naval limitation now set
forth in metes and bounds, but will
insist upon another trial be made for
extension.
France. it is argued. has checked
the movement for curbing submarine
warfare, but has not stopped 1T. No
one thinks that a worldwide agree
ment can be reached for the elimina-
tion of the submarine. but the ma
.jority opinion seems to be that it will
be possible to reach world pact for
it's strict delimitation.
The issue will be drawn as between
the use of the submarine for agrees
sion or defense, and in either case, to
outlaw it as a destroyer Of inter-
national lawful commerce and nom
belligerents. When a margin can be
found between these two uses, no
civilized nation, it is contended, can
afford to hold aloof from an UNDER
standing among the powers of the
earth.