Evening star., 1924-09-07
HERRIOT BRINGS NEARER
REAL OLD WORLD PEACE
Acceptance of Theory of Arbitration and
Disarmament Places French in New
Position in General Read justment.

First. an atmosphere conducive to
cooperative endeavor must be Gre
ated. That atmosphere does not COM
pletely exist at the moment. AS
consequence the British premier pro
posed that the present session pave
the way for a conference, to be en-
tered into in good faith by all ma
tfons and under league guidance, in
order that agreements on disarma-
ment may be effected. Citing the
evils of maintenance of great armies
and military alliances. the British pre-
mier has espoused the cause of arbi-
trat1on as the sane way of preventing
future struggles. He aptly cited the
fact that the old system-to which
Poincare. Millerand and others of the
French Nationalists have been com
mitted-has dismally failed. He de-
clared that the covenant of the
League Of Nations. being broad, COW
cred the main Nationalistic objections
which had been registered.
Immediate Action Unlikely.
1t must not be expected, in view
of Premier Herriot's compliance with
the principle of arbitration and dis
armament, that there can be immedi-
ate results in readjusting the mill
tary situation in Europe. or that all
nations will forthwith procedc to dis
band their armies beyond the point OF
actual home defense. While the Brit
ish premier and the French premier
apparently are agreed and the pros
poets are exceedingly bright for a.
modicUm OF disarmament, which
eventually will lead the Old World
from an era of doubt and suspicion
and create a definite and lasting era
of good will, they must again. as III
the case of the London conference,
reckon with conflicting elements at
home and reach a compromise accept
able to all nations.
In France there is deep dyed,
well grounded fear of undue agrcs-
sion of ancient enemies. and belief
that France should at all time have
security. Though Britain has re-
fused to enter into military alliance
with France it is believed that when
the league conference gets down to
actual negotiations the British viii
be ready to amend the league cove
nant to such extent as to give
security to nations ascribing 20 dis
armament plans, whatever they ma!
be.
Nations Would Subscribe.
If the league is given power to call
upon member nations to contribute to
the suppression or curbing of recall
citrant elements and a the same time
all member nations are compelled to
put into effect economic and financial
boycotts against any nation refusing
to arbitrate their differences before
recourse to military effort, it is be
lieved that all those SO earnestly
striving for peace will subscribe.
The question has been raised as to
what would be done in case nations
refuse to arbitrate and diSobey arbi-
trail decisions. Naturally, the general
question of security would not be
settled unless the league has broad
powers. But in amplifica ton of The
league covenant, it is believed OBJ
jections pro and con Will be met and
a working arrangement not incom-
patible with national integrity and
dignity worked out.
Just what course might be followed
is, of course, conjectural. but if there
is determinat ton that there shall be
real peace with safeguards against
future wars, and the statesmen of
Europe are permitted to carry out
their present ideas of cooperative
effort in reconstructive processes, then
the thing will be accomplished.
1t is for this reason that the
Geneva session on Friday probably
will go down in history as one of the
most notable of international meet
ings. In il the chief obstacle to
agreement along lines insuring dis
armament and arbitration was re
moved through the truly eloquent
speech of Premier Herriot.
Herriot Sure to BE Target.
Nothing or much may tranSpire be
fore any disarmament conference would
begin. Already in France there has
been an uproar from NationallStlc
sources which declare that France has
sacrificed in the Dawes plan all she can
be expected to sacrifice. They want no
further concessions. Premier Herriot as
a consequence will be the target fo:
further attacks. Though the Parliament
consented on the question of repara-
tions settlements and agreements en-
tered into in London, there is qucs-
tion as to whether the French people
will view further temporizing with the
theory that France should maintain the
largest armies in Europe to perpetuate
security. France has suffered long and
nightly in history because Of undue
aggression on the part of others. That
she should insist on security is not
questioned. The test of strength be-
tween Herriot and the out-and-out Ma
tionalists will come on the question as
to how to best secure France at the
Same llIlt permit II "
her moral position with other nations
of the world. all eager to see an end to
pickering and strife of whatsoever char
acter
But that France can be secured, that
the great principle of arbitration in set
tlement of international disputes can
be achieved, that the army-ridden ma
tions of the Old World can breath
easier and remove the noXious burdens
imposed by excessive military forces,
and. furthermore, that there will be re-
moved majority of the provocations
for war by cooperative, trustful en-
deavor, is the belief that now sweeps
Europe.
And. with belief in the practicability
Of that thing called peace will come
eventual realization, temporary pitfalls
be what they may.