Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-17
NAVY FARLEY DRIVE
SEEKS TO GET j. S.
IN SECURITY PACT
Move, Led by Britain, Uses
Appeal to Avoid Collapse
as Argument.
ILLNESS OF TARDIEU
CAUSING SPECULATION
Conference Circles Wonder if
French Premier Is Suffering From
Diplomatic Sickness"
BY FREDERIC WILLIAM VILE.
Staff Correspondent OF The Star.


Rv Radio to The Star.
LONDON, February lion the pre-
tended presumption that the Naval
Conference is heading toward the rocks,
there is subtle but unmistakable drive
to wheedle the United States into some
kind of security pact, which will con-
ciliate France. This drive is of British
origin. It showed its head during the
week end from such a variety of
different sources that American observ-
ers are compelled to suspect it is con-
certed movement
The argument is couched in the form
of q more or less frantic S o S to
craftsmanship to save the conference
from shipwreck. Here and there one
encounters a direct. unblushing appeal
to President Hoover to give the world
another courageous example of Ameri-
can idealism."
The Liberal Daily News. taking its
cue from the lamentation first raised
up in conservative organs, declares that
unless there is simple, straightforward,
decisive action cutting across all naval
minded statesmen will acquire, and de-
serve a worse reputation than hag-
Cling conference of shell-backed adj
mirals."
Believes U. S. Would Respond.
Yesterdays conservative Sunday
Times asked in accents of despair, Can
America save the conference?" and
wound up its dismal editorial as fol-
= - a. l1os
how much conviction lies behind the
American bid for disarmament, whether
the people of the United States are
ready to make some sacrifice. even to
take some risks, to realize the faith
that is in them and make their dream
come true. A unique opportunity
awaits. The lead must come from
across the water. VIII President
Hoover make the momentous historic
appeal to his countrymen? We believe
they would respond"
Specifically what these prophets Of
the conference have in mind Is a IA
in the Kellogg pact. Something of
the sort has long been IN British states
mems minds, although 1t has never
been openly expressed. Now that
Frances thrust at European submarine
supremacy, as a supplement to her mil
itary supremacy, has sent chills Of ter
ror and indignation chasing down John
Bulls spine, the British views about the
Kellogg pact teeth are no longer sup
pressed.
1t is. of course, plain that If an anti
war pact were supplied with a full set
of biting utensils it would not be neces-
sary for the handful of Mediterranean
powers by themselves to give France
the guarantees she Graves. A pact with
teeth would have the additional adj
vantage of bringing, America into the
pool. to say nothing of Japan and half
a hundred other signatories. No
shadow of doubt remains that French
pretensions to naval tonnage in various
categories aggregating over so per cent
of the 100000 tons Britain and
America each is satisfied to accept,
nave brought the conference bang up
against a real crisis. All the delegates
read this morning with undisguised
chagrin a dispatch from the Paris cor
respondent of the Times:
French Thesis Defended.
France Che declares) will not aban-
don a single ton for the sake Of accord
ING to America and Great Britain the
hegemony Of the seas. on the basis
dictated by its own standard Of secur-
ity and prestige. Criticisms passed in
1OnQOn upon The naval program nave
had no effect on public opinion except
to strengthen the conviction that
France is on the right track and that
the French thesis is logically unaSsail-
able"
Everybody is wondering how much
significance attaches to the sudden an
nouncement of Premier Tardieu's in
disposition. The French premier will
delay his return TO London until a
date not yet fixed He intended to
come back Wednesday of this week
BRAND, in the meantime, has taken
charge of the French delegation.
Tardieu may be suffering from what
Europe calls diplomatic illness. Since
time immemorial such attacks have
overtaken statesmen engaged In criti-
cal negotiations. The astute French
premier, incidentally. has his maiden
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