Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1930-03-21
NEWS REVIEW OF
CURRENT EVENTS
Hoover Makes Move to
Avert Collapse of Arms
Conference.

TN AN effort to avert the collapse Of
the arms conference, or failure to
reach five-power agreement to re-
duce ornaments, threatened by the at
titude of France, President Hoover has
sent new instructions to the American
delegation.
The President is said to have of
fered alternative proposals designed
to make five-power agreement posi-
Bile, if not for actual reduction of naval
strength for at least placing limit
near present figures.
It is. understood that he suggests
concessions on the part of the United
States and Great Britain which would
make it easier for Japan, France and
Italy to agree.
The collapse Of the conference was
threatened when Foreign Minister
BRAND had announced his withdrawal
because the United States, backed by
Great Britain, had fatty refused to
accede to the demands of France for
a security pact as condition of their
consenting to any reduction in naval
armament.
nounced that he would remain with
the conference, and that he still had
hopes of reaching an agreement.
The break with France came at
private meeting between Prime Min
lister Macdonald, Secretary of State
Stimson and Foreign Minister BRAND
of France. Mr.. Macdonald demanded
that BRAND produce his real figures.
Mr.. BRAND replied, tartly:
II have no figures. l came over
here to get pact. If you want fig
ures you must talk to Premier Tar
dieu. / am finished"
Mr.. BRAND demanded point blank of
the British prime minister and the
United States secretary of state why
they are suspicious of Frances naval
requirements and why they refuse to
permit her to maintain adequate sea
power for self-defense, but accept
Italy's demand for parity in silence.
II don't think that it is fair to ask
France to produce all of her figures
and make out her case," he said.
eve are willing to discuss every
point without being asked. But there
is another country at the conference
occupying the same status as France,
but she is left alone and says nothing
beyond demanding parity with US
making no justification of her Claims"
The Japanese delegation indicated
that the absence of France from fur
Their negotiations, which automatically
disposes of Italy also, will prevent
Japan from proceeding in detail
toward any extensive reduction of ar
maments, because her strength is con-
tingent upon the naval forces Of the
European powers.
However, it is practically assured
that Great Britain and the United
States will write treaty. If the
other powers refuse to come in Uncle
Sam and John Bull will sign it alone.
CECRETARY OF LABOR ]. J. DAVIS
" has announced his candidacy for
the Republican nomination for United
States senator for Pennsylvania. Mr..
Davis announcement came after
he had been informed that William S.
Ware had withdrawn from the senate
race and would throw him his sup
port. Mr.. Davis denied that he in
tended to withdraw from the cabinet
to make the race.
THE great Importance of teaching
i civic responsibility to the youth of
today, along with the ability to read
and write, was stressed by President
Hoover in a short address at a din
ner given by the Boy Scouts of
America
Four hundred business and profess
sional men, gathered in Washington
to commemorate the twentieth ami
versary of the founding of the Boy
Scout movement and to launch a big
expansion program, listened while the
President spoke Of the necessity for
training the boys of impresslonable
age in the duties and obligations of
citizenship, 'if the country is to con-
tinue as a successful democracy"