Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-28
STRIFE FOR[SEEN
! FOR ARMS FARLEY
U. S. Experts Believe Date
Too Near and Bitter Feeling
Likely on Delay Question.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


Examination Of the political situation
In Europe by American disarmament
experts. now drawing to a close. predi-
Gates findings that are not encouraging.
Today. more than ever, these experts
believe that the date for the general
disarmament conference. fxed by the
League of Nations for February 2, 1892,
q premature.
Bitter feeling existing today between
the European states is at q point that
makes our experts look with appfeher-
sion at what may happen at that con-
ference, which Is being summoned to
relieve the present political tension In
Europe. Yet. it is authoritatively stated,
1t will be difficult to obtain postpone
rnent Of the conference, much as 1t may
be desired.
At Geneva, In November, 1880, the
German delegates were very persistent
In demanding q general disarmament
conference in the course Of this year.
Members Of the Council Of the League
Of Nations were able to obtain q post
ponement only after they had given a
solemn understanding to the Germans
that the conference would be held in
February, 1882 Thus Dr. Julius Cur
titus, German foreign minister. returned
to Berlin with a watef-tight Under
taking to that effect from the French,
British and other representatives.
Further Delay Doubtful.
Further postponement Of this confer
ence cannot be obtained without the
unanimous vote Of the League Council,
and under present circumstances 1t Is
extremely doubtful whether the Ger
mans would vote in favor Of such q
delay. Many German leaders realize
the dangerous consequences Of failure
number of politicians representing mod
crate sections of Germany's political
parties have intimated privately to
American diplomats that failure of the
conference would be disastrous, yet, they
added, the German defeat at Geneva,
plus the difficult situation In Germany
make 1t impossible for the present or
any other German cabinet to agree to
postponement Of the general Disarna-
ment Conference.
OF course, this point Of view Of the
German politicians is not final. While
it may be impossible for the German
government to agree to postponement
at the present. time, 1t Is not unlikely
that It would change Its mind II some
conversations were offered. Germany's
political troubles are believed to be due
primarily to economic depression; The
Germans believe that all their ills are
caused by the heavy burden of repara-
tons they must pay under the Young
plan.
Hence, according to reliable news re-
ceiyed here from Berlin and London, 1t
appears that the German government
viii be compelled 10 ask for q holiday
in the Young plan installmentS, prob
ably this Summer Also Philip Snowden,
British chancellor Of the exehequef, u
said 10 b viewing tina contingency
favorably.
Hesitaney q Germans.
In spite Of this, the Germans are
hesitafit to take such q step, although
they admit that it L. inevitable. Their
fear Is based on Frances opposition. II
is said by reliable Germans here that
French opposition to q moratorium
might cause q complete collapse OF
Germany's international credit and
would have an incalculable adverse
effect on Germany's economic system.
Should the French, however, adopt
O reasonable attitude toward Ger
many's capacity to pay reparations and
agree 70 re-exan1ifie the problem In
friendly spirit helping 10 relieve the
Internal situation In Germany, 1t Is not
unlikely that the Germans in turn viii
Be less adamant about holding the
general disarmament conference at q
Later date.
This whole matter Is going to be
discussed in Europe In the course Of
the next month. The United States
Government cannot intervene either one
way or the other. The question Of gen.
efAl disarmament Is considered by the
administration as very important for
the future OF Europe ana the world,
but. after all, the question Of choosing
the most propitious moment for hold
ing that conference Is a matter which
concerns primarily the European
nations.
Meanwhile the American disarmament
experts are proceeding with their prep
arations on the assumption that the
conference will be held next February.
Copyright, 1917