The Indianapolis times., 1924-09-13
Lloyd George Says
FATE Of LEAGUE
HINGES ON ENTRY
OF UNITED STATES
Declares Real Work VIII
Begin When America
Joins Hands.
BY DAVID LLOYD GEORGE
Fnrrner British Prernier

Copyright, 1924, by United Press
Syndicate. Incl
LONDON. Sept. 1S. 0by cable).-
The great peace demonstration at
Geneva, which was to be the perora-
ton of London, has ended in empha-
sizing the fundamental disagree
ments of Britain and France. Mr..
Ramsay MacDonald's pronounce
ment on peace and universal concord
has infuriated French Of all sections
and divided Europe into two rival
camps. The Right and the Left in
France are, for the first time, in
agreement. They both profess IN
qualified disappointment, rising into
indignation. over the British pre-
mier's declaration. His apologists
can only plead that he was vague
and merely meant to be rhetorical
and not mischievous.
When it was officially announced
that NJ. Herriot and Mr.. Ramsay
Macdonald meant to travel together
to the Genevan shores, it was as
sumed they had a common message
to deliver to the expectant nations.
1t is now quite clear that the two
premiers had never compared notes
before they left for Geneva The
Chequers mistake has been repeat
ed. They interchaanged platitudeG,
perfumed with the incense of the
applauding L,ultitudes from the
Clyde to the Seine and took II for
granted that a repetition OF these
phrases meant agreement. But they
both disdained particulars as a men
ace to harmony. Hence the unfor-
tunate discord Of Leman coming so
soon after the accord Of London.
Discuss Peace
1t was appropriate that the League
OF Nations should discuss peace ar
bitration and disarmament. That IS
its main function. Every year since
its foundations were laid at Yer
sailles (for the covenant OF the
league is the first section Of the
treaty Of Versailles; debates Of the
same kind have adorned its annual
assembly and orations Of the same
nigh order have thrilled and inspired
its delegates. Nevertheless It remains
that every effort made by the league
to negotiate reduction of ornaments
amongst its members has failed. and
that the only effective international
agreement to reduce armaments was
reached at a conference summoned
outside the league by a power which
had refused membership. II is fur
ther true that the one question
which, since the war. has disturbed
the peace Of western Europe. has
Just been debated and settled" for
the fourth time, at a conference for
which the league had not the slight
est responsibility and to the coun-
sells of which it was not asked to
afford the slightest help.
Mr.. Macdonald says that the re-
suits Of the conference have changed
the outlook in Europe. Let us hope
so. II is too early yet to predict
with confidence the effect on peace
OF pouring fresh blood into the de-
pleted veins of Germany. a full
blooded Germany will not be as sub
missive as an anaemic Germany. 1t
therefore requires no special fore
sight 70 prophesy another conference
in a couple Of years to revise the
London terms. That. also, I trust,
will end in another permanent set
tlement." further improving the out
look Be that as it may. 1t will GER
tainly result in tightening the terms
of the last conference, for the allies
will then encounter a stronger and
q more defiant Germany.