Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-17
TARD|EU REEVES
FARLEY OPTIMISM
Conference Spurred by Pre-
mier's Willingness to Con-
tinue Work for Agreement.
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE,
STAFF Correspondent of The Star.

Stan Correspondent of The Star.
By Radio to The Star.
LONDON, March 17.-While there is
talk there is hope. That paraphrase
Of an old saw exactly epitomizes the
Naval Conference situation as conSe-
Cuence of yesterdays critical converse
tons at Chequers.
The fact that Premier Macdonald,
Tardieu, BRAND and Henderson spent
the entire afternoon in discussion OF
the Anglo-French differences without
agreeing TO disagree is the most hopeful
development which has transpired since
the deadlock set in. No one expected
Tardieu to haul down his flag at
CheQuerS yesterday. He is, undoubtedly,
much too clever statesman for that.
There was much more real danger that
he would break of negotiations alto
gether. He hasn't done so and the
conference is saved, at least for the
time being.
"The common work is going on" says
the French premier. Il am convinced
we shall come to a satisfactory result"
When the conference leaders read these
words this morning in a press statement
issued on Tardieu'S return from
Chequers they heaved a sigh OF relief
and pulled themselves out of the depths
of despair to which most Of them had
succumbed on the score of a f1ve-poWer
treaty.
u. S. Delegation Pleased.
Satisfaction is profound among the
entire American delegation. Secretary
Stimson and his colleagues were rot to
sit in at the ChequerS contab because
the French affair is considered ex-
clusively, or at least primarily, the bust
ness of Great Britain. In the same
way the Americans bore the brunt Of
the burden of the negotiations with the
Japanese.
premier Tardieu's readiness to go on
talking was not surprise to SECRETARY
Stimson. The American delegation
leader learned a fortnight ago from
Ambassador Edge that, despite the ex-
ternal stiffneckness, the French are de-
termined not to shoulder the onus OF
the wrecking of the conference. Edge
pointed out that they are Jealous OF
their place in the European peace move
ment and that BRAND especially would
not care to subject France to suS-
picion of inSincerity in that Held OF in
ternational endeavor,
There was plain speaking on both
sides at Chequers between lunch and
tea. Macdonald on his part let Tardieu
know that the British public opinion
would in no circumstances approve any
military-naval commitments to France
beyond the League of Nations and the
Locarno treaty obligations. The prime
minister sought to convince his French
confrere that in "a peldge of good will
and pacific determination" by all of the
i've naval powers each and every one
Of them should feel sense of glaran-
teed security, provided the nations mean
what they say on solemn occasions.
Macdonald also didn't fail to point out
the fallacy which has been finding per-
sistent expression by the French during
the conference-namely, Britain'S f1nan-
cial inability to build as large a feet as
the French tonnage figures, II main
tanned, would require.
Tardieu to Return Next Week End.
The Daily Telegraph states today that
"thiS instant readiness on our part to
react to stark realities chat is, to lay
down as many more ships as France
makes necessary has caused much
establishment in French circles, where
it was believed that our zeal for naval
reduction was inspired mainly by a
sense Of the economic burden of naval
expenditure. Not for the first time con-
tinental interpreters of British action
have pressed their logical differences too
far"
Matters now stand like this. Tardieu
returns to Paris today, leaving BRAND
again IN charge at London. The
French, premier has the evidence of his
own eyes and ears as to how the wind
is blowing at the conference. He viii
employ the rest of the week consulting
his political supporters, studying French
public opinion and perhaps preparing
It for q compromise which the shrewd-
est of the conference authorities be-
heve to be imminent. Then during the
next week end Tardieu will come back
again to London and speak what must
kae.N AaG nre.g1 avRR 7.
gave q significant hint of impending
events on his return from Chequers last
night, when he predicted that the con.
ference would continue for another
three weeks. That is not the thought
OF man who intends to use his power
to smash the conference in the mean
time
The net result of all this is the re.
newed hope of a five-power treaty be-
fore the middle of April. The actua
agreement would take place much
sooner than that. The final stage OF
the conference would be needed for
purely drafting matters preceding the
formal signature.
Rome-Paris Problem Persists,
The Italian and French parity prob
lem still presents snags. It is now be-
ing subjected to intensive compromise
efforts with the Americans doing all
they can behind the scenes to apply
salve to. a situation which only remotely
concerns the United States.
Agreement with Japan continues to
await events in Toxic. The fight is
there rather than In London, It has
resolved itself into a contest between
the japanese admiralty and the civilian
branches of the government which or
dlnaruy aren't very successful in COM
batting big navy influences. This time
however. the civilians are believed to
enjoy virtually the omnipotent support
OF the Emperor. He is thought to favor
compromise arrangement contrived by
Matsuda1ra and Reed in London with
the sanction of their respective delega-
tons chiefs, Wakatsuki and Stimson
Japanese diplomatic methods on these
critical occasions require the opposite
party to exercise unlimited patience
before the seult, which are well as
sured In advance, can become translat-
able into accomplished facts. But the
fundamentals of the Japanese Amer
lean accord are laid. They will form
the basis Of a thre-poWer, Anglo
American limitation treaty If either the
French or the Italians decree that the
London Conference shall end In incom-
plete success.