Evening star., 1925-08-01
BY FRANK III. SIM0NDS.

The renewal from the Summer
White House of the report that Presi-
dent Coolidge hopes for new arma-
ment conference in the Autumn or at
the latest, next Spring, is more easily
COMPREHENSIVE than the optimism
also displayed in official quarters AS
to the European attitude toward
such a meeting. Speaking of impress
sions which l had in Europe barely
three months ago, my belief is that
no country, with the possible excep-
ton of Great Britain, would welcome
or perhaps even consent to such a
renewal of the Washington negotia-
tions of several years ago.
Even before BRAND became foreign
minister the whole of the French FOR
eign office and many OF the French
members of Parliament were still bit
terly resentful of the fashion in Whlcn
they felt France had been treated In
the earlier conference and resolved
that there should be no repeutlon.
But with BRAND, who owed the tall
of his last ministry largely TO ms
American failure, now foreign min
lister and not improbably the next
premier. French consent is almost
unthinkable.
Might Appeal to Italy.
Italy, on her side, might concelN,
ably consent, just because France had
refused, but for the single purpose TO
derive political advantage. Moreover,
the italian delegates carried away no
enthusiasm for the Washington eX-
periencc. But if Italy came at all. 1t
would be with the Mussolini maxim
Nothing for nothing" firmly In
mind. And the single solid benefit
Italy could seek would be some favor
able adjustment of her debt.
1t is a fact, which can hardly be
questioned, that the United States is
at this moment more unpopular in
Europe than in the memory of any
one now alive. This is due, of course,
mainly to the debt issue, but also to
American policy generally since the
close of the war. The fashion in
which European newspapers and COM
mentators have emphasized our de-
mand for a settlement from Belgium,
Notwithstanding the alleged promise
of Mr.. Wilson, Is only a characteristic
detail.
An attempt to call new American
conference would be resented not
merely by debtor nations or nations
which have had an unpleasant mem
ory of the other Washington con
ference. but 1t would be particularly
resented by the nations in Europe and
in South America which have given
their adherence to the League OF
Nations. They would all regard ii
as an effort to Sidetrack the leSgue
The best proof of this was the blunt
comment of both Ramsay Macdonald
and M. Herriot, the French and Brit
ish prime ministers of last year. when
the subject was broached at Geneva
Land Armaments Barred.
France and Italy, also, would re
gard the effort to hold such a con
ference, in the face of their own
we'll known objections, as no more
nor less than an effort to bring them
by exercising the coercion incident to
the debt question. OF course. such q
conference could not by any stretch of
imagination touch upon the subject
of land ornaments, because. as Gen.
Maurice recently pointed out at VIII
Jamestown, the explanation of the
present figures of aggregate arma.
ment in Europe is due to the armies
of the new states, Poland, Czecho
slovakia, Rumania and Jugoslavia
in particular.
In view of the present attitude of
Germany with respect of her eastern
frontier. neither Poland nor Czecho-
slovakia could think of reducing their
armies while Rumania, like Poland,
has cause for anxiety on the Russian
side. Jugoslavia, too, has dangers
both from Bulgaria and from Hun
gary, while even the relations be-
tween the Slav state and Greece are
far from good and the Greek army is
being reorganized and strengthened