The New York herald., 1922-01-02
Says Delegation Went to
Washington Farley in
Bargaining Spirit.
MAY STIR ANGER IN q. s.
Editor of London Times Finds
Chance for Display of Brit
ish Craftsmanship.
by wICKHAM sTEED.
Editor the Lorsdou Times.

Copyright. 1929. by United News.
This Is Mr.. Steed's last article
soritto7s IN America on the drnas con-
ference. he hapin0 left for home Sat-
1rdcg on the Olympic.
My absence from Washington in my
visits TO other parts of the United States
and Canada during the last few days
has enabled me to look upon the confer
ence from the outside and see how It is
regarded Ivy important sections OF Amer
lean and Canadian opinion.
Broadly sINeaking, the French position
on questions of submarines and auxiliary
craft Is regarded with bewilderment not
devoid of wrath. Unless this Is cor
rectei thsse feelings may not indeed de-
stroy transatlantic sympathies for
France. but 1t may mitigate them 10 an
extent that would be depl6rable in
French and British interests alike.
Should the lively hopes that Amer
lea has placed in the conference be
disappointe no matter by whose im-
mediate fault, any tendency IN the
United States toward association with
European nations In the work OF eco
nomic reconstruction would infaliibly be
thwarted II not transformed into a
lcHutHCy tOWaTQ QlSsoCidtiVD Va <AhSA
lea from Europe.
France, II Is clenr, would not be sad
died undeservedly with the main re-
sponsibility for an eventuality so grave
as total or partial failure Of the con-
ference. But this would offer scant
solace to the peoples distressed or TO
many millions In many countries who
have been hoping that in Washington a
new era OF good will and good faith
among nations might be inaugurated.
Bad Effect Upon America.
Even were France 70 press upon the
conference her candidahlre as an inter-
national scapegoat, she could scarcely
carry into the wilderness OF a disordered
world the positive ills Of the nations
along with her own obvious sins OF in-
comprehension and perversity. In the
United States It would be said--nay. It
already Is being said-that the apparehl
indifference Of France to the Iofty pur-
poses that undoubtedly inspire the Eng
lish speaking nations is partly, If not
chiefly, the consequence OF Anglo-French
animosity that has developed since the
war.
1t is true that from the first the
French Government misunderstood and
in some respects grossly misconceKed
the situation at Washington. Despite
friendly counsel the French delegation
came to Washington in a bargaining
spirit which 1t had hitherto been unable
to shake off. II is true, also, that some
omissions or irregularities of method on
the part of the other delegations in
duced feeling among the French that
they had been slighted. But l have
been unable to discover any sign in
the French delegates of herostratic am
bition or wish to- wreck the conference
from the mere love Of notoriety. Yet
they and their Government are running
the risk OF running 1t for the sake of
ships France does not mean to build.
Deplorable though the bearing of
France assuredly is, it is necessary to
remember that neither anger nor men,
aces, political OF financial. are likely to
change it. On the contrary, threats may
easily cause France for a season to
harden her heart. and during that season
to make irreparable the damage already
done.
The fierce wrath the American people
would feel at the wrecking Of the confer
ence and, comparisons highly favorable
to British statesmanship they might draw
between the French and British con-
duct, should not blind our statesmen to
the truth, that ultimately our interests
and our standing will also suffer should
the position at Washington not prove
susceptible OF adjustment.
Praises u. 8. Press.
The American press. with splendid i'm
partially. has given the fullest hearing
to ALI sides. But in the ultimate appor-
tionfng of blame. IL blame should unfor.
tunately have to be apportioned, the
shortcomings and mistakes of the British
policy In regard to France during recent
years and months would infaliibly be re.
membmed against Us to our hurt.
Americans stiil have a strong regard
for France. Rightly considered, that re-
gard Is an asset for Europe and the
world and therefore for the British En-
pirc. Nothing could more enhance
British craftsmanship In American eyes