Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-24
French attitude
seen ARMS BLOW
Refusal, of Further Cut Re-
garded Setback to Next
Conference.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The French memorandum to the
League OF Nations claiming France can
not disarm further under existing
political conditions In Europe today cast
shadow over the elation President
Hoover manifested over the success OF
his recent diplomatic moves to aid Ger
many.
With the Seven-Power Conference in
London ended with q marked degree OF
success, American authorities turned
their attention to the French document
for the. FIRST time. Though comment
was withheld, they did not disguise their
disappointment at the tone OF the
memorandum.
The French attitude was interpreted
as q definite setback to plans for the
Disarmament Conference at Geneva
next February, the success OF which
President Hoover hoped would result
from economic rehabilitation OF Europe.
France Big Question.
In announcing his plans for holi-
day Oh intergovernmentai debts In
June, the Chief Executive expressed the
hope il would not only contribute to the
economic recovery Of Europe, but would
so improve international good will that
it would pave the way for q successful
Disarmament Conference at Geneva.
Since the World War France has been
the big question mark In all disarma-
ment discussions. Officials here take
Conference will depend largely on the
attitude France assumes.
Although it has been known that
France would like to have political
guarantees before joining any move
ment to reduce arms. her outright an
nouncement Of this policy was not ex-
pected at this time.
France has not only refused to dis
arm under present conditions, but said
she would not reduce her ornaments
without agreements from other nations
to protect her in case OF attack. She
also demanded a guarantee of her
political stability.
May Not he Final.
II France maintains that attitude,
those most familiar with the situation
acknowledge that she will deter material
progress at Geneva. Neither Great
Britain nor the United States is ex-
pected to accede to the French demand
However, In Government circles a
hope persists that the French memo
randum was advanced for trading pur-
poses, or to bolster that nations gov
eminent politically at home, and that
the note did not express her final word
on the matter.
Washington officials were hoping that
the European trip OF Secretary Of State
StimSon would go far toward smoothing
the path for the Geneva Conference.
Secretary Stimson was to leave Lon
don today for Germany presumably for
Il first-hand study Of that nations eco
nomic situation and discussion with
statesmen 1t Is possible that he will
return to Paris for conference with the
French on the disarmament conference
OF which Germany has been an inter-
ested prepayment.
Laid Sound Foundation.
Despite the French attitude on the
arms parley. administration officials
| from President Hoover on down con-
SideIed the successful London minis
ters' conference on the German prob
lem and the adoption Of the Hoover
debt suspension plan as important
factors in the recovery Of Germany's
: economic stability and big contributions
toward recovery from the worldwide
| depression.
President Hoover said the conference
had laid sound foundation for the es-
, Enlistment Of stability in Germany
the major banking and credit problem
OF which had been solved through as
suranceS OF cooperative banking action