Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-30
BY A. G. GARDINER,

D. RADIO to The star.
LONDON. Septem'~r 29.-The Wash
inEtcn Governments refusal to accept
the Anglo-French agreement as a basis
for disarmament negotiations aroused
little surprise or resentment in England.
The writer can recall no incident since
the war which has placed the British
government under such widespread sus-
picion or aroused such sharp criticism.
The government has never had the press
of all parties so formidably modified
against it on any issue.
This concern was not mitigated by
the publication in America of the basis
of the entente, which fulf1ils the worst
spsculations as to the nature OF the
ayreement In providing that larger
cruisers be subject to agreement ana
that smaller cruisers he not, it is bluntly
opposed to the position taken by
America at the Geneva conference.
British French Agree.
Two aspects OF the matter have been
the main centers of discussion IN the
British press. First the repsrcusslons
of the proposed policy on the European
situation. which it is generally agreed
must be disastrous. especially In view OF
the enthusiasm with which the under
standing has been hailed in the FTencn
press as inaugurating revival OF the
nre-war Anglo French entente.
This suggestion. though without oln-
cial sanction here, Is undounteoiy
strengthened by the now practically az,
rnitted fact that England has ceased
to oppose the exclusion OF reserves from
of 10
will support the French demand TOT
exclusion.
The effect of this on the feeling OF
Germany already is apparent ana IN
the same connection emphasis Is lslu
here IN the depressing influence OF the
Britisa representation at Geneva. wnlcn,
it is generally agreed, has been the ieast
insHe ing gathering in the history OF Ine
LIgue. This, no doubt, was partly que
to the absence OF Sir Austen CnamueI,.
lain. but the fact that the Anglo-French
pact has cast a shadow over the League
and over the whole future OF dlsarma-
nent possibilities IS undeniable.
Add TO this the Italian dlsqulet ana
the alarnlist rumors. promptly denleo
hv the British foreign Office. that the
pact covers an understanding IN regard
to air forces. and the measure OF mis-
cfief zone to the European situation
will De appreciated.
Seeks Secret Pact.
But il is the effect of the pact on
Anrlo-American relations that is the
subject of most serious concern, not only
in the Liberal press, but in all reSpon-
sihle quarters. It Is pointed out tnat
France refused to enter the open con.
ference at Geneva initiated by President
Coolidge. and now seeks. by secret nego-
fistion. to inveigle the United states
into a tripartite naval agreement On
terms which are known TO be unaccept-
able to America.
THAT England should have been IN
duced to become a party to sucn
clumsy blnnderis bitterly rescued. tne
alternative presented to America oy Ine
nact was either to be left out OF &C,
count, in which case discussion OF naVal
armament would become utterly unreal,
or to recant her main contention at
Geneva.
n antsrcnize American opinion and to
rev:se y, distrust of European dl-
rior.H,v is obvious. 1t is equally OBJ
yious that limitation of armaments;
which is vital to the cause OF Worio
neace. has received a serious cneck'
3rcy, which it will not easily recover.
40 one supposes the British Govern.
r,ent dest-ued such cons sequences. IL
was unanswered into its fatal posltion
tv more astute minds across the Cnan-
nal. But the government can no longer
do,,ht that the overwhelming current OF
nublic opinion is against It AMI tnat
withdrawal of KS proposal Is tne phiy
course left open &C it.
tcopyright 1879, b. ahe Consolidated