The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-11-11
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMS
Scripps-Howard Foreign Editor

ocflppS-HoWard Foreign Editor
The eleventh anniversary of the
armiStice which brought to an end
the bloodiest war ever fought by
men finds five Of Germany's former
opponents on the eve of confer
once to head of a naval race which,
unless stopped, again may upset the
peace of the world.
The conference has been called
for the third week in January. The
place is London. Present will rep
resentatives of the United States,
Great Britain, Japan, France and
Italy.
The third naval parley since the
World war, it promises to be not
only the most important event of
its kind since Versailles, but one of
the most significant milestones in
history.
The gathering should likewise
prove decisive. If it succeeds, as its
sponsors hope it will. it hardly can
fail to pave the way for further ne
gotiations and a gradual reduction
of all armament.
But should it fail, the whole cause
Of arms limitation will be given
setback of incalculable proportions,
leaving the world once again facing
the peril which rivalries in war ma
chimes inevitably mean.
Much to Be Done
Nor Is success by any means as
suTed. The rosy glow which the
dramatic meeting between Premier
Macdonald and President Hoover,
on the banks of the Potomac and
and Rapidan, cast over the project,
naturally led most of us to jump at
the conclusion that it was all over
but the shouting.
But that is far from the case.
True, the road is clear as far as
London, but the London bridge must
be safely crossed, else there may be
a wreck involving more or less Seri-
GUS consequences.
There are many loose planks in
the London bridge and the failure
of any one of them might bring
disaster. Even the accord reached
by President Hoover and Premier
Macdonald, as between America and
Britain, was of necessity only along
very general lines and it remains to
be made specific at the coming con-
ference. before the agreement is
final.
Not only that but the agreement,
in treaty form, must undergo rati-
fication at London and at Wash
ington and this process is notori-
ously hazardous.
Others to Satisfy
Then there are Japan, France and
italy, all with demands of their own
to satisfy, some as far apart as the
poles. However, just as Britain and
America have managed to reach a
basis of compromise, there is room
to hope the others may do likewise.
Here are some fundamentals
which may cause trouble:
/. Shall the London decision be
final. as America, Britain and ia
pan want, or must they depend up
on later action of the League of
Nations, as France and Italy want?
2 Shall warship Limitation be sby
categorieS, as America, Britain and
Japan desire, or shall 1t be global,
as France and Italy wish-meaning
that should a nation not want so
much cruiser tonnage, for example,
1t could convert the surplus into
submarines?
5. What about battleship replace
ments due in 1881? Shall they be
discussed? Shall they be reduced
in size? And armament?
4. Shall the Washington treaty
nations-giving Japan, France and
Italy less tonnage than Britain and
America-hold good for cruisers,
submarines, etc. These three pow
ers say no. with emphasis.
S. Will France accept parity with
Italy. or will France insist on big
ger fleet and thereby block agree
ment?
6. Shall submarines be outlawed,
as Britain and America suggest. or
not. as Japan, France and Italy
contend?
7. If France and Italy lock horns
over parity. shall the other three
nations 60 ahead with a three
power agreement?
Other Hard Problem
The foregoing are merely some of
the concrete problems the five pow
ers face. In addition there are
others on which it is not so easy
to place finger.
What. for instance, would hap
pen should the other powers at the
conference get the impression that
Britain and America had met and
stacked the cards against them in
advance in order to WELD sort Of
Anglo American hegemony over the
world? This already has been
charged.
Nothing. of course. could be more
fatal than that this notion should
i stick