Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-29
FACES KNOTTY
FARLEY PROBLEM
French Wish London Confer
ence to Be Provisional
to League Debate.
BY LELAND STOWE.

BY Radio to The Star.
PARIS, December 2s.-The Franco
American negotiations preparatory to
the London naval conference were
given further impetus yesterday when
Ambassador Walter E. Edge entertained
at a naval luncheon" at the American
embassy Premier Andre Tardieu; Hugh
s. Gibson, American ambassador to
Belgium: Norman Armour, counselor OF
embassy: and Henry MoySset, the
French Premier's chef du Cabinet, who
is likewise an expert on naval affairs.
According to the official staten mt is
sued after the luncheon the cCAverSa-
tions held thereat were of general
nature and were most satisfactory.
Yesterdays occasion marked the con-
tinuance of the Edge Tardieu ConverSa-
tions but took on added importance
from the fact that the exposition of
French and American naval theses re-
garding the coming naval parley in
London have now come to clear-cUt
formulation and also from the fact that
Ambassador Gibson, one Of the United
States delegates to the parley, was af-
forded an opportunity OF exchanging
views with Premier Tardieu, who will
be at the head of the French delega-
ton.
Immediately after the luncheon Am
baSSador Gibson, who arrived here from
Belgium at noon, departed for London,
where undoubtedly he will make a de-
tailed explanation to Gen. Charles G..
Dawes, American Ambassador in Lon
don. of the French position as it has
been exposed to him within the last
few days.
Farley Status Ii Obstacle.
l,ne koLr
two American diplomats and by the
French premier to refrain from discuss
ing details of the Franco-American Sit
uation, 1t is certain that one of the
chief obstacles with which Mr.. Edge
and M. Tardieu have been wrestling has
been that of the status of the London
conference in relation to the League of
Nations general conference for dis
armament. The French government,
both in its memorandum made public
this week and in the committee meet
ingS of the Chamber Of Deputies, has
insisted that the decisions Of the Lon
don conference should be preliminary
to and provisional to the Geneva body's
general conference.
1t is assured that M. Tardieu in his
long conversations with Mr.. Edge has
pushed this Interpretation in an effort
to obtain American approval.
AlILlOuBA HO StdtcIncuG mas come
from the American embassy regarding
this particular phase of the matter, it
seems virtually certain that Mr.. Edge
has been obliged to express Washing
tons 1nsistence that the findings of the
London parley stand on their own feet
that is to say. that they be definite in
themselves.
Edge Has KnOtty Problem.
Tyrn II 1&9 I'LL
mier Tardieu, feel very keenly that any
naval reductions that France may make
must come under the scope of article
VIII Of the League covenant, and they
may even 60 as far as to state that
France cannot definitely commit her
self in London, If, indeed, Premier Tar
dieu has not already taken such o posi-
ton in the pourparlers now proceeding
Unquestionably, some phase of this
knotty problem is now confronting Am
baSsador Edge, who is making every eff
fort to reassure Premier Tardieu, with
out In any way committing Washington,
to regard the London conferences as
provisional"
1t Is reported from reliable sources
here that the French premier is par
ticularly inSistent upon linking the Lon.
don conference to the League of Ma
tions Disarmament Conference, and in
this he is undoubtedly backed by the
great weight of French opinion. The
status Of the Briand-Kellogg pact has
also been thrown into the discussion
by the French and this Is also In all
probability providing further difficulties
for Mr.. Edge.
French Stand Firm.
1t Is apparent that the French have
taken very clear and firm stand on
their position as outlined in their
memorandum to the four powers made
public this week. That they will recede
therefrom to any great degree before
going to London Is more than doubtful.
For that very reason, however, AmbaS-
sador Edges continued close contact
with Premier Tardieu as demonstrated
by yesterdays luncheon, assumes impor-
tant proportions, since the more frank
and friendly the French and American
viewpoints are discussed before the con-
ference opens, the greater the pros
poets for the success Of the conference
will be.
1t is probable that Mr.. Edge will
confer with M. Tardieu again before
the latter leaves Paris for The Hague
conference, scheduled to open there on
Friday next.
Copyright, 1921