Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-13
RESERVES
FOOD SHIP OPINION
Feeling That Hoover Proposal
Would Work Against League
Is Indicated.
BY LELAND STOWE.

: By Gable to The Star.
: PARIS, November l3.--At the mo-
-Rent the French reaction to President
SHoover's plea for immunity for food
sships IN time, of war may be described
-as deeply interested, but reserved" The
ssmornina newspapers. in accordance
with the French habit of expressing
editorial opinions only "a hours after
.the event, have as yet made no COM
Sment AS to the evening papers, only
two, lie. journal des Debats and La
gLiberte. committed themselves last night
1on the Presidents Armistice day mes
Sage.
Nevertheless. from inquiries in Official
quarters and from the comments OF
these two newspapers, 1t appears that
the French are inclined to regard Mr..
'Hoover's proposal to render food ships
as inviolate as hospital ships both i'm
practical and opposed to the postwar
treaties. It is indicated that the French
feel that such action would nullify the
power of the League covenants pledges
70 institute an economic blockade
against an aggressor state.
Clarity Is Praised.
lie Journal des Debats says that Mr.
HOOyer's declaration is "of the first i'm
portance" and praises his clarity in
emphasizing the reelection OF sane
tions against an aggressOr as distin-
auishing the peace policy OF the United
States from that Of Europe. Mr.. Hoo
yer. saws this paper diSSipates Europe's
hope Of seeing America aid Europe in
economic blockades to prevent war.
Not only does Mr.. Hoover maintain
the traditional policy of the United
States, (" it continues, but again he de-
sires to prevent the other powers from
having recourse against eventual sg-
gressors to the economic sanctions pro-
vided in Article is Of the League cove
nant.
LAS economic sanctions are the most
pacific, and most likely to compel q
nation in bellieose mood to stop ana
reflect, Mr.. Hoover's declaration, how
ever well intentioned, will not discour-
age the proponents OF sanctions.
Writer Justifes League.
The editorial writer asserts that the
Leagues article Is is fully Justified, and
that the breaking Of all commercial,
financial and economic intercourse
with an aggressor state Is the most ef-
Iectiye method of preventing war:
"Sending food TO q state which Vlo-
IAbe& the CONVGnhnb 10 HuAO~
contrary to these provisions. 1t would
enable it to prolong its resistance, 1t
would encourage it to precipitate &C.
ton to place before the world q falt
accolnpli." is his view. Let Journal des
Debats concludes that since the food
ship plan is purely suggestion, It Is
dificult to see how the naval confer
ence should consider 1t.
jacques Bainville, writing In La
Iiberte, says of Mr.. Hoover's idea;
ut is elegant, it is simple-perhaps
too simple. viii there be no distinc-
ton between attacked and aggressory
win the pacific means provided by the
covenant to force violator OF the pact
to his knees be abandoned? And now
is to be prevented the fraud OF mlltary
reproyisioning by food reprovisionngP
f'Therefore, when one seeks means OF
solving the old problems which have
divided the nations, one evokes tne
most disaRreeabIe eventualities and re.
anirnates controversies which would
better be left dormant" a
ITALY KEEPS ALOOFs