The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-10-19
EUROPE SCOUTS
FARLEY HERE
ON ARMS
Reaction There to Coolid0e's
Lead Is Reported to Be
Unfriendly
By GEORGE r.. HOLMES

President Coolidge's suggestion
that the successful negotiation of
the Locarno security pacts paves
the way for a second international
arms conference, and his announced
willingness to initiate such con-
ference, has been received with
distinct GOODNESS abroad, according
to confidential reports reaching
Washington from American diplo-
matte sources.
European reaction to the Prasi-
dents idea has been such as to
strengthen the suspicion, already
widely entertained here, that in the
negotiations at Locarno there WIS
a quiet agreement among the powers
10 have the League Of Nations, and
not the United States, stage any
further disarmament shows.
On Mr.. Coolidge's behalf, it was
said today, he has no desire to
force an arms conference upon Eu-
rope If Europe does not want one.
Neither, it was said, will the United
States be put in the undignified
position of bidding" against the
League for the production.
Position UnseIfiSh
It was emphasized in the highest
Administration quarters today that
the American position is now, as 1t
always has been, one Of uusclfish.
ness in promotion Of the theory of
armament reduction. It MONS. Of
ficials said, more to impoverished
Europe than it does to the United
States, separated as we are by two
wide oceans from potential trouble,
It was observed, too, that the
United States is the only world
power today capable Of maintaining
adequate armament without fin
ancial embarra ssment.
Consequently the Administration
position, as phrased by one of its
spokesman, Is:
I'VE have furnished the idea.
They can take 1t or leave it alone"
There is no reason, it was stated,
why the United States should not
participate in disarmament con-
ference staged under the direction
Of the league, provided such a con-
ference gave promise of real &C.
complishment, and not provide u
battle-ground merely for European
politics and animosities to disport
themselves.
Works With League Now.
Under Congressional approval,
the United States already has CO.
operated with the league in several
other world conferences, such as
the recent meeting to control in
ternational traffic in arms, the
conference to control international
production and traffic in drugs. etc
The principal questions that a
second armament conference would
have to consider are to a con-
siderable extent purely European in
character. The problem. Of reduc-
ton OF standing armies falls almost
entirely in this category, for the
standing army of the United States
today is little more than 100000
men. as compared with Frances
600, 900, and, Great Britain's approx
mately 100000.
There is an unanimity Of opinion
among Administration officials, how
ever, that a second conference
would stand more chances of sue
cess in Washington than at Geneva.
For the time being, President
Coolidge is content, it was stated
On his behalf today, to let things
take their natural course. Amer
lean diplomats abroad will continue
their sounding out" activities.
Whether any call goes out from
Washington for second conference
depends entirely upon the results OF
this sounding out.
Mr.. Coolidge is ready to initiate
conference If Europe wants one.