Evening star., 1928-03-07
BRAND SOUNDSOUT
OTHER POWERS ON
ANT|-WAR TREATY
Seeks Views of Europe, ans
League Before Replying to
KelIogg's Note.
GERMANY AND JAPAN
FRIENDLY TO PROPOSAL
Council at Geneva Refers st.
Gotthard Machine Guns Cues.
ticn to Committee.
BY JOHN GUNTHER.

nv Cable 10 The Star. and CHICAGO DAILY
News Copyrsht lH-o
GENEVA. March What Europe
and the League of Nations think OF the
American proposal Of a mulilaieral
treaty for the outlawry Of war is what
Foreign Minister BRAND OF France Is
<-ying 10 find out these days.
Secretary Kellosg's last note has
aroused not only keen interest out
hearty respect and. coupled with ctner
phases of the disarmament problem, is
the chief issue at Geneva, where the
League Council is now in session.
NJ. BRAND will not reply 10 Mr.. kel-
focc until he has fully sounded OUT the
other powers and probably in any case
no, until after the French elections
The French viewpoint is stu un-
changed. holding that the American
general outlawTy proposals are incom-
patib!e with Frances commitments
under the League covenant.
Germany and Japan Friendly.
The power most friendly to the Amer
lean scheme is Germany. A member
Of the German delegation visited the
league secretariat today and got copies
Of the text of the Kellogg note. 1t Is
understood that the Germans favor the
scheme In principle and desire TO raise
two questions: First, what exactly does
the United States mean by war as an
instrument Of national policy? second,
In what manner could actual negotia-
tions begin?
The japanese are also very friendly
20 the American scheme and would ac-
cept the last Kellogg note as basis for
formal consideration. Great Britain
Il hesitating and Is temporarily cold
70 new American suggestions OF disarm-
ament Of any kind. and she is apt to be
suspicious Of blanket schemes to outlaw
war But a definite feeling OF poten-
tial British interests, If not actual SYM
pathy, is manifest.
The only out and out opponent OF
the American scheme is Italy. which
openly SCOTS The present Fascist policy,
as understood at Geneva in the light
Of Dictator Mussoiini's recent Tyroi
speech, is "the less disarmament bet
ter" The League is a hypocriticai
shadow and disarmament. Is pOppycock,
the Italians say.
Two Proposals Similar.
Finally there are the Russians. One
Of the most interesting phases OF the
question Is the close similarity between
the general tenor OF the American and
Russian proposals.
So far as the League itself is con-
cerned. after preliminary hesitation. II
. definitely approves the American plan.
There was at first general suspicion
that the Kellogg scheme was unwar-
ranted. IN fact mischievous, II not a
Nachiaveiiian effort TO spike the
Leagues own carefully prepared peace
plan by Offering what on the surface
seemed TO be simpler and more
dramatic scheme and put the League
IN the light Of an organization devoted
20 war and not 10 peace.
But in general the League agrees With
Senator Eoraa that its own system and
the American system are not incompati-
bic. II also says that two continents.
having the same idea on the abolition
OF war and suddenly reaching two Diff
ferent schemes 70 this end, ought TO
get together 1t least 70 explore the
subject.
A careful poll at the secretariat OF
kiI natsoraIities shows sympathy with
the outIawry plan, and u Is even sig-
eested and hoped that Minister Glib
son viii formally put 1t on the table
sfaen the disarmament commission sits
on March IS. This. however, is hardly
likely.
Security Group Action Helps.
Meanwhile. a spur has been given 70
the American plan by the results Of the
security committee which closed lis
sesslonS uycay. It's proposals, IN the
shape Of a draft of conventions OF an
obscure and technical nature. and a2-
paYentiy nothing vital W the 6lSaFn1a~
H2es7t problems. VIII De referred 70 the
September League assembly. There is
fttie enthusiasm for the March Is
meeting Of the disarmament commits
son.
After a spirited public discussion, The
Iszgue council has referred Inc st
fottnarf n3acllifle-gun affair 10 sfle'
eaas committee, on motion of FOTelgt
Minister Chamberlain II Great Britain
IL would be dangerous 70 begin q
gEY.erag discussion In the full Council,
aaseEted Eignor EHialola, the Italiaf
fr.eEnter Of the Council. in supporting
ti4e Chamberlain motion.
the members 81 Lfle COMMITTEES art
tI1e representatives of Holland. ChAf
snc Finland Foreign Minister Iiteicscl
- FunqaGsa opened the discussion
sollncJy fet9uk.ng Gen. TAncSO, the Hun
garaau 6eiegSDe. who began Hungary
Ge!eDa. by DieaE!ag bad relations ~iit
the lsttls entente. III, BRAND in't%'
speeches. insisted thai Hungary mus
answer TWO q1est5ons. First. where TN
guns came from. and. seC0n6. why Hun
gary cefIfG Ff}e League by destf0yHi
4tlen. The Hungarian reply waA y
esa2iYe that IL brought laughter. but !
Mas admitted fhst tsls sOUFce 81 tn
machine guns SaS Italy.