Evening star., 1926-09-12
CLOSER TIE SOUGHT
in NFRANCO-GERMAN
PARLEY IN GENEVA
Accord on Political as Well
as Trade Issues BRAND
Stresemann Goal.
RHINE FORCE REDUCTION
AMONG POINTS COVERED
British and Belgian Ministers In
formed of Move-League Cir
cles' Interest High.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
GENEVA. September 11.-Conver-
sations. the object of which is broad
E'ranco-German understanding not
only on problems existing between
France and Germany, but on interna-
tional policies as whole, were begun
today between Gustav Stresemann,
the German foreign secretary, and NJ.
BRAND, foreign minister Of France,
with the knowledge of both Sir Aus
ten Chamberlain, Great Britain, and
NJ. Vandervelde Of Belgium.
This is the beginning of the enbodi-
ment of pledges made by the German
and French statesmen on the League
Assembly yesterday that they would
strive Loyalty to reach an accord, and
the announcement of the pour parlers
attracted tremendous interest because
of the possible repercussion for a sue
cessful undertaking on world politics.
Rhine Force Cut Asked.
1t is understood that broad lines
were discussed today, and 1t is learned
from German sources that DR.. StreSe-
mann broached the matter nearest to
ton of the French forces in the
Rhineland, and proposed first that
the troops should be cut down from
about 10000 to $4,000; second, the
evacuation of three watering places,
kreuznach, Langenschwalbach and
Neuenshr. and third, rendering all oc-
cupation invisible"
One special subject to be embraced
in the proposed understanding is elab-
grafton of an accord on financial and
economic questions along the lines Of
the Franco-German trade agreement,
which has been under negotiation but
with larger ramifications. +
After long conversation with M.
BRAND, DR.. Stresemann conferred|With
Sir Austen Chamberlain and put the
British statesman in touch with the
details of the Franco German conver-
sations, which will be continued next
week.
Interest i'm French Army.
The proposed reductions in the
French army have created consider
able interest in Geneva, indicating to
the minds of many of the delegates to
the league that countries will lessen
armament burdens without the need
OF written convention.
IIC SpOhCSIlldIl VI the GERMAN Q6IG-
cation declined to comment upon the
significance of the French project and
allowed it to be understood that the
Germans were more Immediately inter-
ested in the French intentions regard
ing the forces of occupation in the
Rhlneland than in the size Of the
French national army maintained on
her own SOIL
The delegates in Geneva who have
been following disarmament problems
particularly and who had been some
what dismayed over the lack Of con-
cord shown by members of the techni-
cal committees which are preparing
for the disarmament conference, said
today they were becoming more con-
vlnced that the disarmament problem
will take care of itself gradually. Each
state for economic reasons, they be-
lieve, will reduce it's armament burden
in proportion to the security it is con-
WINGED it possesses.
Spain's Course Analyzed.
That the Spanish government is not
serving the best interests of Spain in
resigning from the League was the
general opinion voiced here when the
news spread that the long expected
note from Madrid was here. The first
suggestion Its reception aroused was
that it might be seized upon as a pre-.
text by the group that opposes an in.
crease in the seats of the council to
block the adoption Of the reorga MIA
ton scheme.
Genuine regret is expressed at the
Spanish decision to withdraw. 1t is
considered distinct loss to the
League. rs Spain always exercised
han i,a ~,
The note from the Spanish govern
ment glides over the reason for the
resignation, but the Spanish repre-
sentative had made it perfectly clear
that the cause of the withdrawal
was failure to obtain a permanent
seat in the council Of the League
with the election of
Germany to that honor.
Awaited League Action.
1t points out that Spain had re-
Trained from giving official Motif
cation until the assembly had ap-
proved the reform in the COMPOST
tion of the council as regards per-
manent members because it wished
to show respect for the League of
Nations and desired also to await
the assembly's pronouncement on the
admission of Germany-'which event
Spain ardently hopes will be of grea,
advantage to the League of Ma
tions.'
Furthermore, it declares that Spain
is convinced that her decision does
not compromise any vital interests
or principle of the League, whose
prosperity is ardently desired by
Spain, her King and her govern
ment"
The communication continues by
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