The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-09-11
NEA Service Writer

shington-Washing has a consistent record of becoming over enthusiastic about the probable achievements of prospective arms conferences, but it must be ad- mitted that the capital is not ex- actly caroling its optimism con- corning the worlds first Genera! Disarmament Conference which is scheduled to begin on February 2 at Geneva.
 Nevertheless, there is gen. eral feeling that the conference will be tremendously important and that this Is no time to blum tive flop as seemed to happen in don naval conferences. That is why the worlds statesmen have been exchanging views for many months, why Secretary of State Stimson has been touring the European capitals and why this government Is not disposed to de- mand that the conference be held on schedule unless everyone Is convinced that the result will be req sonably successful.
 The optimists are those who believe that the principal ob- stacles can be eliminated this fall and that the general necessity of reducing national budgets will combine with better spirit Of international good will to attain definite arms, limitation and even a small proportion of reduction. No one fondly anticipates any drastic general arms cut, but the rosy view among informed per sons is that concrete reduction can be agreed upon.
 Pessimists believe that the con- ference will be postponed and that the attitude of France, which has caused so much trouble in vari- ous international conference of the past, will prevent the disar- mament movement from getting anywhere in the near future. Even these pessimists, however. do not believe the conference will be permitted to begin and then break up in a fight.
 President Hoover's intense inter- est in disarmament is well known. This governments official attitude is that 1t hopes the conference will be held in February and that 1t is ready for the barley. High off, cials, however. have indicated that this feeling of hope and readiness meant no anxiety on our part to hold the conference promptly in any event.
 They want. first, to see a rap prochment between France and Germany and, second. a naval ra- tio agreement between France and Italy. Everyone concerned has been trying to bring about the Franco German rapproche- ment. Everyone, according to the understanding here, has faith that it can be achieved. Great Britain is at least as anxious as we are for arms reduction and can be depended upon to go to great lengths in the attempt, all though her recent political de- velopments have increased un- certainty about the conference. Italy, if the naval ratio agree ment with France can be reached. will be equally helpful. according to Stimson's reports here of his recent conversations with Pre- mier Mussolin.
 France Is to some observers the military bully of Europe and to others is quite right and reason- able in maintaining her heavy arr maments and armies while refus- ing to cooperate with other powers in the ways they desire Whichever way you look at II, however, France is the most like ly stumbling block in advance or the general conference. Her gen eral attitude is that no other country. especially Germany, shall ever again be in a position to do her harm. Her position in de- manding security is strengthened by the fact that her need of bud get reduction is not as serious as that of other countries.
 Senator Borah recently pointed to Frances large army and her existing unprecedented security