Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-05
BRAND EXPECTED
TO PLAY LEAD ROLE
French Premier's Part Antici-
pated to Give Naval Farley
New Lease of Life.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE,
Stan Correspondent of The Star.

BY Radio to The Star.
LONDON, March 5.-With the return
Of BRAND tomorrow or Friday in practi-
cal charge of the French delegation, the
Naval Conference is scheduled for a
new and altogether hopeful lease of
life. Information conveyed to The
Stars correspondent from a highly
authentic quarter justifles prediction
that events at London are on the
threshold of dramatic developments.
BRAND is cast to play the leading role
in them. If the part assigned HIM is
enacted as it Is expected to be France
will come close to the glory of saving
the conference, with the principal
laurels resting on the brow of the CO.
author of the Kellogg BRAND pact.
1t can be stated authoritatively that
the French government during a long
lull caused by the political crisis in
Paris has definitely determined not to
shoulder the onus of wrecking the con-
ference. Nothing is now farther from
French thoughts. 1t is accordingly
Frances intention to come forward at
a suitable moment with a proposal de-
signed to break the deadlock. So that
in the end BRAND Is credited with the
purpose of suggesting that the preamble
of five-power naval limitation treaty
be so worded as to comprehend the
general idea of security guarantees
without directly or indirectly providing
them.
Attitude on Preamble.
French public opinion is not likely
to bubble over the form of the pre-
arnble, even though it may be vague
Paris is fully conscious of the difficult
Of aWrar1 ~, a
with 50-odd Signatories to consult and
convince, and thinks everything she re-
quires can and should be formulated as
part and parcel to the naval treaty. In
the mood now attributed to French
leaders, it need not be too categorical
In nature. An authority who is in po-
sition to X-ray the preSent-hour emo.
lions in Paris Is convinced that the
French Parliament and public would
accept some kind of a preamble state
ment affirming simply that five sigma
tory powers would look with high dis
favor-or words to- that effect-upon
any development likely to upset the
structure of world peace which naval
limitation seeks to build.
BRAND will probably not reopen the
French case In London Immediately
with any such announcement. Exigen-
cies of the French political situation
and requirements of national amour
propre on these international occasions
will can for a certain amount of stand
ing pat for the time being. The pro-
gram is for Tardieu to reaffirm the
stand he hitherto so effectually main
tanned. Then. too, because of feverish
political conditions his new ministry
faces, the French premier will return
to Paris, leaving the seasoned and re-
sourceful negotiator BRAND to pour nee
essary Oil on the troubled waters OF
the conference along lines hereinbefore
outlined.
May Reduce Demand.
II the conference reflects a readi-
ness 10 accord France a noncommit
tai guarantee" of a pious preamble t.
the naval treaty, her neSE step vii
be a reduction in her demand fol
724,0OO tons of warships to something
in the neighborhood OF 100000. Thu
would conciliate the British because Il
would automatically stabilize the two.
power standard which they feel they
must maintain as far as European navie'
are concerned. II France and Italy
on q parity basis should ever actually