Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
BY WILLIAM HARD.

Ministers OF France-that's the right
title of the French Prime Minister"
Laval-waS in q private intimate con-
versational huddle yesterday with Presi-
dent Hoover. Their first task, 1t Is well
understood, was to explain to each
other the respective points of view Of
their very different countries. This
writer has endeayored to explore those
points of view among the Presidents
experts and advisers on the one hand
and among M. Laval's experts and ad-
visers on the other. He has likewise
taken the pains to consult United
States Senators and French visiting
journalists here. Out Of this indus
triously acquired information he VEN
lures, with a little audacity and with
perhaps not too much levity, to imagine
that the conversation between M Laval
and Mr.. Hoover may have begun more
or less as follows:
Mr.. Hoover: II understand that you.
too, are addressed as Mr.. President "
VI
way I am indeed a sort Of president
myself"
Mr.. Hoover: "I suppose there are
some people in your political combina-
ton who are very trying to you"
M. Laval: But, yes. There are many
very strong nationalist among them"
Mr.. Hoover: "Humph! I have a
lot of those nationalists, too. They
always want more cruisers"
o1u nj
Notifications along our eastern frontier"
Mr.. Hoover: You understand that
shall have to allow mine to have just
a few-just few-more cruisers. Other
wise might not be able to keep ma
iority in the Senate"
M. Laval All we are in perfect
agreement. I must fortify somewhat,
or else my nationalist would pull my
cabinet down"
Mr., Hoover: 1--WE have to remember
that each of us speaks for country
but the country always has the last
word"
let us address each other frankly and
then address our publics with discre-
ton"
Mr.. Hoover: Frankly, then, let US
begin with disarmament"
M. Laval: "DiSarmament?
Mr.. Hoover: Eyes. In my mora
torium note I said that ornaments were
more or less crushing you and lntl-
mated that I would see what could De
done about It,"
M. Laval: But France has never
said she was being crushed by anna
ments."
Mr.. Hoover: But you are"
M. Laval: "I must ask my experts.
They have never told me any such
thing"
Mr.. Hoover: well, let's be franker
still. You see, Mr.. President, the
American people expect disarmament.
1 have more or less promised them as
armament. I must have disarmament.
You understand. What shall we do?"
M. Laval: II accept your noble sug-
gestion that we shall speak more and
more and more frankly. I say then:
France does not suggest disarmament.
It is suggested to her. 1t Is then legtti-
mate for her to inquire: II, at the re-
quest of others, France reduces her
ornaments, what is it that others IN
compensation will do for her? What
Mr. Hoover: you nave nearo OF
Senator Borah?"
M. Laval: Eyes, indeed. He Is one
of your great supporters. Yes? He
spoke for you strongly in your last
campaign"
Mr.. Hoover: eyes. Yes. Now Sena-
tor Borah thinks that If you would re-
duce ornaments and If we thereupon
would reduce your debts to us, 1t would
be-well, it would be what you so
nicely just now called compensation.
X y X y
M. Laval: "Mr. President, must
speak to you now with a frankness eX-
ceeding all my previous frankness. MY
country cannot sell its security. We
shall owe YOU fifty million dollars in
the year 1882 We shall owe you sixty
million dollars in the year 1888. We
shall owe you seventy-five million dol
lars iii the year 1894. We shall owe
YOU something in each successive year
thereafter till 1887. In no year, how
ever, shall we owe you more than one
hundred and twenty-five million dol
lars. Mr.. President, would 1t pay
France to save one hundred and twenty
million dollars a year on its debtsI TO
YOU and perhaps one hundred and
twenty-five million dollars year more
through the reduction of her arma-
nlents and then in her weakness suf1er
an invasion and a devastation which
might cost her not millions Of dollars
but billions? Answer me that, Mr..
President"
Mr.. Hoover: But Is not Germany
disarmed?"
NJ. Laval: Partly. Not so much as
it outwardly seems. Moreover, as you
know. there is a strong party in Ger
many which demands the destruction of
the peace treaty of 1919 and which
would willingly seek that destruction by
arms. Germany is far from being dis
armed in spirit. Russia and Italy are
whole, is diSarmed neither in body nor
IN soul. France cannot in return for
money expose herself to the perils
which Europe contains and presents.
Il "a not money that can bring France