New Britain herald., 1929-12-28
A JARRING NOTE FROM FRANCE

A JARRING NOTE FROM FRANCE
 That the London naval conference soon due would face a critical att- tude by France was suspected for some time, consequently the note of the ministry Of foreign affairs to the other four powers concerned in the conference occasions less surprise than had the stand Of France been unknown heretofore. In q nutshell. France is not inclined to regard the Kellogg pact as a sub stitutc for the League of Nations, nor is she entirely obliyious of the fact that closer unity and accord in action between the United States and Great Britain might in some Of it's effects be q rival to the Lea que. Although favoring lcsscncG expenditures upon armament, France prefers that such movements be predicatcd upon League activities rather than solely upon direct par lcying methods.
 France simply is besct with new fear. This time it is fear oi American and British joint action. Although it has been said over and over again there is no entente be- tween the United States and Great Britain following the visit Of Pre- mcr Macdonald, the French note all but assumes such a reality.
 The balance of power in the League rests upon the continent of Europe and in it France is an inn portant influence, directly or in directly. Both the Kellogg pact and the understanding between the United States and Great Britain shifts what Franco regards as dom- mating action in the world away from Geneva, and hence away from French influence. In addition, France through her note has injected the freedom Of the seas" into the dis cussion, topic which the United States and Great Britain agreed 10 reserve for later consideration. IL is admitted that consideration Of this topic tt London would make the success of the London confer cncc more difficult Of attainment. France insists that this issue be | solved before or Coincidcntal with the conference. not later; and this is quite impossible.
 The position of Franco that there 1 he q definite agreement for coop cration among the nations against { an aGgrcssor is another point that would he difficult to solve. It has 1 been taken for granted, and so stated many times, that public sen timcnt in the United States is unal .. terably opposed to the government | joining definitely in any such agree | ment. The Kellogg pact skirts this point neatly by referring to an aggressor as an outlaw among nations. but leaving a loophole as 10 what is to be done about it ii such an aggressor develops, whicf perhaps is another way Of leaving it to how public opinion happens tt regard the aggrcssor at the time.
 The peace discussions that hav' been in the air Of late years have
 had fine sound. but have showr tendency 10 dodge some Of the major troubles that confront nation! during times of stress. Freedom O
 the seas is such a topic. while join action against any aggressor is an
 other. The French note calls atten
 ton to these in rather a forcctu
 manner and though there may b' some criticism on the score that i
 is better to accept half loaf c
 peaceful intentions rather thar
 have none. it cannot be denied tha
 inc international outlook will no
 he idaalistically perfect until th' paramount issues are settled alon- with merely expressions 0: genera
 policy.
 France demands some definite contracts in addition to general. ties.