Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-06
Another Hague Peace Conference.

Today at The Hague official repre-
and of Germany's allied creditors con-
vene for the purpose Of ratifying-if
they can-the Young reparations plans.
The agreement reached at Paris at the
beginning of the Summer was only
semi-oflcial. Though formulated and
accepted by experts representing all
the interested countries. except the
United States, it was in no respect
binding upon their respective govern
ments. The revised reparation scheme
will become effective only after it meets
with the final approval of the states
men now assembled for what may we'll
be called another Hague peace confer
ence.
II their deliberations end, as certain
pessimistic European authorities are
afraid they may end, without an accord
to put the Young plan in actual opera
ton, the cause of European peace will
suffer a setback highly disagreeable to
contemplate.
Conversely, if the discussions eventu-
ate in a decision to 20. K" the work OF
the Paris experts, Europe at last will
be launched upon an era of economic
and political tranquility for which she
has longed in vain since the vicissi-
tudes of Versailles.
BY one of the strange ironies of po-
litical fate The Hague may find France
and Germany making common cause
against Great Britain, instead Of the
former Anglo-French reparation COM
bination against the Germans. The
British are dissatisfied with the per-
centage of reparations allotted them
under the Young plan. They begrudge
the lions share which goes to the
French. The Germans appear ready to
support Frances claims. Britain and
France are also at loggerheads over the
location of the international bank
which is to be set up under the Young
plan. John Bull wants the bank to
pitch its tent in London. France would
like to have it in Paris. The Germans
it is thought, favor neutral place in
Switzerland.
France at The Hague will find itself
arrayed against Germany with regard
to evacuation of the Rhineland, while
the Paris government is determined not
to let Berlin raise in any form the issue
of recession of the Saar Basin. The
French are virtually committed to evac-
uating the Rhineland, but hesitate to
leave until allied ways and means are
provided for maintaining control over
German demilitarization. If they are
themselves to quit watch on the Rhine"
the French desire to be certain that 1t
will not be resumed, in the old spirit,
by the Germans themselves.
Mr.. BRAND, the new premier OF
France, is destined to play stellar
role at The Hague. No European states
man has a greater personal urge than
he to achieve a successful outcome of
the Young plan parley He is bent upon
securing prompt ratification Of the rep
arations portion of the plan, leaving, If
necessary, the vexatious Rhineland tan
gle to be unraveled by the League Of
Nations at Geneva in September.
Here in the United States, though
our interest in reparations is restricted
and relatively slight. We do have GER
tain pride of authorship in the Young
plan that will make us wish for re-
suits at The Hague. Our hopes in that
direction are tinctured with strong
conviction that Old World statesmen
are fully conscious of the magnitude Of
the possibilities that lie dormant in a
revival of suspicion and turmoil in their
politico-economic relations. Enlightened
self-interest should impel them to early
acceptance of the new charter Of peace
and security so laboriously and patiently
devised in Paris.
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