Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-24
FRENCH DEFEAT BRAND
. AS WARNING TO EUROPE
Anschluss Plan Ruins Protagonist of
j Reconciliation, Best Friend
Germany Ever Had.

League Of Nations, both by personal
prestige and by the aid OF the allies of
France, his situation at home was that
Of the indispensable man.
But once Germany gave clear proof
of the purpose to change the territorial
status quo at the expense of the indie
pendence Of Czechoslovakia, the unity
of Poland. and thus of the security of
France, BRAND was doomed. All his
insistence that there was a new Ger
many and another German spirit, all
his eloquent appeals on behalf of inter
national understanding fell dead.
BRAND in defense of his foreign policy
found himself condemned to undergo
the experience Of Clemenceau when the
Tiger sought to justify his peace treaties.
Foreign Policy Change Due.
Before left Paris, a month ago.
there was a double conviction that
BRAND would go shortly and that there
would be Tardieu cabinet before the
year was out. On the other hand, with
a general election to come next year,
Tardieu may well prefer to remain in
the background for the moment. But
whether the Laval cabinet lasts or is
remade into Tardieu government, it is
clear that the foreign policy of France
for the next months will be directed by
a different spirit from that of the recent
past.
Until French disquiet and distrust are
removed, no real progress can be made
either in economic adjustment or mill
tary or naval disarmament. AS to the
former, the French are not seriously
concerned. since they are not a trading
nation. AS to the latter, considering
that Europe is actually on fire, they are
not likely to spill the water supply on
the ground. And II the present Anglo
American push for disarmament con-
ference continues, there Is every present
prospect that London and Washington
will presently be confronted by new
developments in Paris not more pro-
pitious.
AS to BRAND himself, there is the
patent possibility that after the cleo
ton next year he may, If the test re-
suits In victory for the radicals and
Socialists. have a chance to resume his
old policies and reappear in Geneva as
the spokesman for his Pan-Europa, but
even this is doubtful. A victory of the
left in France would have to be predi-
Gated upon a complete change in the
French mind Of the moment, and that
change, again, could follow only the
allaying of present French doubts. But
at the moment nothing in Europe sug-
gestS such change.
Was Dominant Figure.
In all this comment too, il Is I'm
possible not to touch on the personal
note. For at least decade BRAND has
been one of the most picturesque figures
In all world politics. He has been abb
sent from few great international con-
ferences; he has dominated and d.
rected many. He has been prime min
User and foreign minister until even the
aImanacs have lost count. During all
this time he has been the first orator
OF the world. and since the death of
Clemenceau and the permanent retire.
ment Of Poincare, the single conspicu-
Gus statesman bridging the gap between
pre-war and postwar France.
More than any other public man of
our own time, too, BRAND has DOS
seSsed the rare gift of inviting affec-
ton. Not only has he been the prime
favorite at Geneva, but in every world
capital. beginning with Germany. he
has enlisted following. I'VE Germans
have confidence in the France of
BRAND" Stresemann once said from
the tribune of the Reichstag. A score
of times BRAND found a solution for
crises which threatened European tran
quiility. More than once when imme-
date solution was impossible he kept
DELAY from engendering bitterness. In
some fashion he was the musical direc-
tor of the concert of Europe as It per-
formed at Geneva, but, temporarily at
least. the vast explosion of discords has
destroyed his spell, II not ended his
services.
(CopyriRht Ia3I)