Evening star., 1926-03-21
HOUGHTON OBJECT
OF IRE IN FRANCE
Press Incensed by Alleged
Report of Sentiment in
Allied Nations.

By Cable to The Star and New York World.
PARIS, March 20.-The newspapers
are filed with rage at Ambassador
Houghton's purported report to Sen
ator Kellogg and President Coolidge.
The United States embassy here
gave out a statement embodying In 1t
a telegram from Washington denying
that either Ambassador Houghton or
Hugh s. Gibson, American Minister
to Switzerland. had given out infor-
nation to any one except President
Coolidge or Secretary Kellogg.
This communication. which was
meant to be tranquilizing, missed its
aim, il. it did not even accentuate the
feeling of resentment, because reports
as printed here, and particularly as
represented from London papers, give
the impression that the American
report was given out by the Presi-
dents Secretary of State, and they
launched it deliberately for political
reasons.
Publication Annoys Most.
The substance of the alleged report.
though regarded as hard on France.
has not made the impression that its
publication has. The Journal Des
Debats calls it never more surprising
than regrettable, and then adds:
"Houghton's report contains not
only disobliging but defamatory i'm
putations against French policy and
official English circles. 1t is unprece-
dented that an official document.
which is essentially confidential af-
fecting foreign governments, should
be precipitately divulged."
The Journal says that both Presi-
Innt rnnlidoa nnd Knl1nOrr
showed their bad humor. The news
papers also accuse the Ambassador
to England of being pro-German,
basing their comments on the state
ment that he knew nothing about
European politics until he was ap-
pointed to Berlin. where, says the
paper. he formed his political ideas.
The Liberal papers are hardly less
bitter LIE Quotidien. which is the
most radical Of the big papers. after
quoting from the alleged report, says
it is not surprised that the American
Government broadcast it, and that 1t
is an effort to counterbalance the
move by Italy. France and Japan to
have the sea and land disarmament
questions treated together.
Charges Deliberate Attack.
It charged that America deiiber-
ately launched the attack on peaceful
European intentions. saying:
1T is plain as day that there is
going to be an American campaign,
the purpose Of which will be to exer-
else pressure on European states by
accusing them Of militarism. France
certainly Is in the best position of any
nation to refute charges of militarism.
We need only point out the reductions
in our military and naval budgets and
compare them with the budgets Of
countries which pose as paragons OF
pacifism, to compare them even to
Germany's budget.
1.-The maneuver is a precious warn
ing. 1t is not sufficient to show good
intentions to disarmament. The weak
are not believed. The strong are re
spected.
Leon Bailby's Intransigeant links
the purported Houghton report tc
Borah's demand for an indemnity tc
shipping lost in the war. 1t declares
Evidently with the influence OF
public opinion as his support. Presi
dent Coolidge has given publicity te
the report of Ambassador Houghton
which is an act of aggression against
European powers - an aggression
which is almost inexplicable."