Evening star., 1927-08-21
BY GERVILLE REACHE.

PARIS, August 20-Franco- Ger
man relations are improving con-
stantly, despite irritating differences
created by Nationalists on both sides
of the Rhine.
The French and British govern
ments have decided to reduce the
Rhineiand occupation forces before
the League OF Nations Council meet
ing at Geneva, September /. Further
more, far-reaching commercial
treaty has been signed between
France and Germany and is well re-
ceived by public opinion in both
countries.
These are two new stones in the
edifice of reconciliation, which al
though it is being constructed with
many regrettable delays, may be all
the stronger when completed.
This weeks results have not been
obtained without a struggle. In
Germany, during the constitutional
celebration, the Populist Deputy Won
Kardoff went so far to make in the
Reichstag, before President Hinden-
burg and the whole cabinet, a speech
which was full of the siprit Of re-
venge. demands for annexation of
lost territories and even for annex
alton of Austria. This speech, wildly
.applauded, naturally aroused mis-
givings in France. Belgium, Italy. Po-
land and even England. Following
Prof. Forsters revelation Of Ger
many's secret ornaments in the Re-
view Menscheit, it was particularly
mal-apropos.
Resistance Scheme Cited.
Meanwhile, the French National
lists, as a protest against the pro-
posed reduction of the Rhineland
armies, have published a secret re-
port of Gen. Guillaumat, commander
in chief of the Rhine forces, setting
forth Germany's effort to create in
the Rhineland q clandestine army,
capable of offering resistance to the
occupation forces.
Such maneuvers do not help Foreign
Minister'S BRAND and Stressemann
much in working toward reconcilia.
ton. Fortunately, manifestations Of
quite another sort are coming. Two
great preliminary conferences are
scheduled for the next few weeks, the
first in Paris, August 25 to 80, and
the second in Rio de Janeiro, Septem-
ber to 8.
The SUPPLEMENTARY Union,
which meets in Paris, dates from 1888.
1t originated in President Clevelands S
ill-fated effort to negotiate am arbitra-
tion treaty between Great Britain and
the United States. 1t subsequently,
promoted The Hague peace confer
ences. At the conference held in St.
Louis in 1904, Senator Burton pro-
posed to invite President Roosevelt to
! take the initiative for the second
Hague conference, which convened
three years later and resulted in
| long series Of arbitration and judicial
| settlement treaties, including the
| trea ties Of 1908 and 1914 between the
! United States and France.
Modern Problems Listed.
| The same Inter Parliamentary Union
! doubtless will attack today's outstand'
| ing problems, such as disarmament,
| pacification OF Europe. perpetual peace
| pacts, etc. and will draft resolutions
! for customs agreements in Europe and
simplificaton Of customs formalities.
| The conferences will be held in the
French Senate chamber. The Reich
stag will send 48 members. notably
former Chancellor Wirth, President
Loebe ands Prof. Dernberg. This
hearty cooperation is regarded here
as sign of friendship and good will.
The International Parliamentary
Commercial Conference. which was
founded at the Brussels Institute
meets on the American Continent for
the first time. Forty parliaments will
be represented with the object OF CO
ordinatips the work ofA commerce