Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-30
EXPERTS CONDEMN
EUROPEAN TARIFFS
Geneva Meetings Draw Weary
Statesmen Seeking Re-
mobilization.

improvement in the economic status of
the world and Europe would be impos-
sible until there was greater freedom
of circulation Of goods, labor and cap
ital.
The experts group was appointed by
the European Commission at its May
meeting. In its report, it became
known tonight, it win urge that the
goal to be aimed at is to make Europe
zone great market for the products of
all the countries which constitute it."
The committee also recommended the
creation of an international bank for
granting long-term credits.
Leaders Look to Geneva.
Leaders Of international affairs,
wearied by three months of feverish
negotiations in the capitals of Europe,
turned tonight toward Geneva, where,
in series of meetingS beginning Mon
day, the worlds grove political and
economic problems viii be examined
afresh in the clinic OF the League of
Nations.
European statesmen and their ad-
visers will gather here Monday for the
meeting of the Co-ordiuating Commit
tee of the European Union Commits
sion, which will attempt to formulate
general plan for European econcNic
rehabilitation.
On Tuesday the League of Nations
Council convenes and on its ageuda
are the Rustro-GerTnan Customs Union
and Poland's treatment Of the Ger
man minority under the Polish flag.
Thursday the European commission
itself meets with the hope of taking
concrete action on the economic RENE
dies proposed by its committee.
The annual assembly Of the League
comes together the following Monday
in its twelfth session. at which the eco
nomic crisis and the coming World Dis
armament Conference will provide
ample material for the deliberations Of
the SO national delegations.
All those League meetings are GER
tain to feel the influence of the German
and British financial troubles, and the
resultant political shakeup in Great
Britain. Arthur Henderson, foreign
will be greatly missed.
Cecil British Spokesman.
Viscount Cecil, one Of the founders
Of the League will be the British
Spokesman, but, although held in high
esteem in Geneva, he is not minister
In the British government and cannot
speak with the authority OF the foreign
secretary.
The strong policy which the British
have pursued at the two previous as
semblies is therefore likely to be lack
ing during the coming busy season at
Geneva.
Maxim Litvinoff, foreign minister OF
Russia, will represent the Soviet before
the European Co-ordinating Committee
and the full commission. international
quarters hope that his presence IN
Geneva will be the occasion for reveal
ing the status Of negotiations between
Moscow and Paris for a non-aggresslon
pact.
The Coordinating Committee, IN
which all European states viii particle
pate, will consider the reports and
recommendation of several special COM
mittees appointed at the May meeting.
The subjects DEATH with by these
special groups include the disposal OF
future harvest supplies, a proposal for
creating an international organization
for short-term agricultural credit, pre-
ferential custom rates for cereals, I'M
employment and the soviet protocol for
economic non-aggression.
Dr. Julius CuItius OF Germany, Dino
Grandi of Italy, and the Foreign Min
listers of 10 or more other nations are
expected to take part in the CO.
ordinating Committees efforts to con-
strlct a general scheme out OF the
recommendations Of the various sub
groups.
Customs Union Pending
The councils most important item of
business-the customs union project
still is hanging fire in the World Court
at the Hague, where It was sent by
the council in May for an advisory
opinion as to its legality
It is generally considered that the
project itself Is now dead, or at least
dormant, during the present disturbed
political and financial situation in
Europe, by which both Germany and
Austria are critically affected. But the
courts decision viii have great interest
in political quarters.
AS for the German-Polish minority
issue, there may be debate in the
council but Poland probably viii be
upheld and the case closed.
Other items on the agenda of the
council are not of immediate i'm
portance, but 1t may be called on TO
put into effect whatever relief program
the European Commission recommends
for economic distress.
Foreign Minister Alexandra Lerroux
of Spain viii preside over the Council.
Informed persons are predicting that
the Assembly will be quiet and perhaps
short. 1t is felt in many quarters that
the Assembly is too unwieldy q body
to handle successfully the tremendous
problems now so ilSistently calling for
solution.
Political Cure Impossible.
The Assembly cannot remedy the
political reimbursement between Ger
many and France, which is recognized
to be one of the bases Of Europe's dis
turbed condition. Real action to check
economic maladies, it is pointed out
here, is much more likely to come from
diplomatic conference OF the great
financial powers, including the United
States, than from the Assembly.
International quarters here are wait
ing for some reaction to the report
of the committee headed by Albert H. |
Wiggin of New York, which dealt with |
the problems of war debts and repara- |
tons
Since the United States is not par
ticipating in the Assembly it is felt here |
that the League Is not capable of solv- |
ing the present world problem
In some quarters 1t Is expected that |
the movement against tariffs may take !
definite form in the European COM |
mission and may be carried over into |
the Council deliberations. The posi- |
bility that the new British cabinet may |
establish protective tariff system is |
viewed with anxiety on the continent |
The Journal de Geneve says: "A Brit |
ish protective tariff is now the only |
thing lacking TO accomplish the ruin |
of Europe"