The Washington times., 1929-10-16
FRENCH ANSWER
WILL SET KEY
Continued, From First Page,

Continued, From First Pagel
Mac Donald have set themselves for
solution the reduction OF the
worlds navies.
There Is qualification in Washing
ton over the fact that all OF the
powers addressed have promptly Sig
nified their Willingness to participate
in the conference. But officials here
are holding their enthusiasm in
check until it can be seen just what
conditions are hedged about France
acceptance.
Restrictions Expected
The American note of acceptance
sent last week imposed no condi.
tons. Japan's acceptance was like
wise unconditional. Conflicting re-
ports have reached here as to
out reservations AS for France,
there Is little doubt here that her
note OF acceptance will lay down
certain restrictions which may de-
fine the limits to which the con-
ference may go.
More and more it 10 being recog-
nlzed here that the fate of the
parley lies in French hands. II
the French are willing to "go along"
on the general principles already
agreed upon between President
Hoover and Premier Macdonald the
conference can be expected to en-
counter fairly smooth sailing. II
not. there will be storms in London
in January.
The most that can be expected
from the London meeting is a five
power naval agreement that will
reduce existing naval, establish
ments and place all future building
on fixed basis. The least that
can be expected is triparty agree
ment between Great Britain. the
United States and Japan. which
will be of a temporary nature and
endure only 50 long as France and
Italy do not embark upon cajor
building programs
British Policy Fixed
The cornerstone of British naval
policy is that the British navy
must always be sufficient to NEE
the sea power OF any European
animation. The British success
fully carried out that principle IN
the rationing OF capital ships al
the Washington arms conference
and there is no expectation that
they will sacrifice it in London
when the effort is made to ration
auxiliary ships of war.
Consequently the success of thu
January conference, in the larger
sense. rests with France and Italy.
A Gri-party agreement between Great
Britain. the United states and
Japan, while satisfactory in some
respects, would necessarily be elias.
tic, stretching and contracting in
accordance with French and Italian
building.
There is real concern i'm Washing
ton over the prospects of the French
making any naval agreement entered
into at London conditional upon the
larger disarmament efforts of thu
League of Nations. The French
thesis is that reduction or restric
ton of navics is but one block in
the disarmament pattern. and that
it should be considered in coniunc
ton with land ana air armament.
The American attitude toward this
thesis is that standing armies and
air forces are questions primarily
of European and not American con.
Germ. The American Army is al
ready on a police basis.
If the French adhere to their
thesis at London and make any
naval agreement conditional upon
the larger disarmament detectives OF
the League. which most statesmen
c0nsidr visionary at this time. it is
more than probable that a tri-party
agreement will emerge from the
forthcoming gathering instead of a
lasting five-power treaty.