Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-04
LAVAL'S PROBLEM In U.S..
SURPRISES MACDONALD'S
Nations Demand for Security From
Treaty Revision Dominates.
Visit to Washington.

understanding which was settled as
soon as the President Of this country
and the British premier agreed to suS-
pend the naval race. The clever Scot
realized full we'll that the disproportion
in wealth between Britain and America
would give us eventually marked SUI
perierity over the British Navy If this
country were to make up its mind to
go in for naval construction. AS there
were no fundamental political differ
ences between the two countries the
naval agreement was easily reached.
Differences Are in Principles.
The situation is not at all similar as far
as our relations with France are con-
cerned There is no actual conflict to be
settled between France and the United
States. We are not rivals in any field
! of activity. But there is a fundamental
difference of principle between the
French and the American way of see
ing the organization of the world peace
President Hoover has repeatedly stated
! that the main cause of the present de-
| preston is the mad armament ex-
penditure, which bleeds the treasures
of the principal countries in the world
| to the extent OF some four and a half
billion dollars. We want this to cease
and wish that France and her allies
would reduce substantially their land
and air forces
The French claim to be as peacefully
inclined as we are, but see the ques-
ton in a different light They main
tain that they cannot reduce their ar
mics unless their security Is first as
sured. People in this country cannot
quite understand what the French mean
by security. There are already so many
pacts and aggression treaties in ex-
istence that to demand some more seems
sheer folly. There is the League of Ma
items, whose principal role is to main
tain peace. Then there is the Locarno
pact between France, Britain, Italy and
| frontiers. Then there IS the Thoiry
agreement between Germany and
France. What is the good of having
more pacts and agreements?
The real truth is that the French
understand by security the guarantee
! that the Versailles treaty will not be
revised. None Of the existing pactS gives
Fr5nce such an assurance: AS long as
/ Germany has Tight TO bring up the
question Ct the revision of the Versailles
! treaty before some international tribu-
! nal the French consider themselves in
/ danger. Public opinion IN France has
/ been trained in the last II years to
/ regard the mainteno nee of the existing
peace treaties as synonymous with secu-
rity. During the dramatic developments
of last July, when Germany was on the
verge of complete financial collapse,
! Premier Laval had a private conversa-
! ton with Herr Bruening and DR.. Cur
/ thus. The three statesmen agreed that
I what Germany needed most was fresh
/ supply of capital and France was quite
! willing to grant Germany loan OF
! S300,000,0 900 provided that the German
/ government promised soiemnly not to
raise the question Of the revision of the
/ peace treat es for a period Of 10 years.
! This the German statesmen refuse to
! give.
Demands Security Guarantee.
Following that refusal the French
! government announced in a memoran-
dunn t. the League that France cannot
agree to any further military reductions
/ unless they were preceded By a guar
entee of security In other words France
! told the world that unless the other
nations agreed to guarantee the integ-
rity of her present frontiers tand pos
s1bly that CT her allies she would not
reduce her armies.
Under the circumstances, naturally,
! the administration is greatly worried
! about the prospects of the coming dis
arm 1ment conference. Secretary Slim
! sen and Ambassador Edge. have great
faith in President Hoover's persuasive
powers. They had no difficulty in cen
| vlncing Laval of the adviSability of COM
ing to the United States to talk over
, matters with the President. Everybody
! hopes that in the rustic setting of
Rapidan, the two self-made men will be
able to understand each ether and the
! result of their talk will be as catisfac-
tory as those between Hoover and Ram
say Macdonald.
The position of Premier Laval is,
! however, by far not as easy as that OF
the British premier. and the President
may find that Laval is by far not as
free to do what is reasonable as his
British colleague.
Citizens Are Different.
In Anglo-Saxon countries politics
plays only a secondary role in the life
Of the nation. The elections cnce over
the nation goes back to its daily routine
business leaving the care of political
affairs to the professionals. Not so in
France. Every Frenchman. regardless
as to what his station in life may be
is watching carefully chose gentlemen
in Parliament" The farmer, who comes
twice week to town to sell his produce
takes little time off and goes to the
cid Cafe du Commerce" Commercial
Coffee House, to discuss with the towns
people the various activities of the
Chamber of Deputies, and woe to the
Deputy who does not keep his electoral
pledges. The members of Parliament,
IN turn, knowing how carefully their
constituents are watching them, exer-
else the same rigorous control over the
cabinet In most European countries
the life of a cabinet Is, as rule, as long
as the life of the elected Parliament
IN France cabinet seldom lasts more
j than year-very frequently only few
months. Any prime minister who
would go against some well defined no.
tons Of the country such as the ques-
ton of Frances security, would not last
"a hours.
Laval knows this and will undoubt-
edly endesvor to explain to the Presi-
dent why he. or any other public man
in France. must continue to play the
tune Security FirSt, Disarmament
After" This is Frances slogan today
Laval is not responsible, but cannot dis
regard it either. If this is the stu
aticn, many people will ask why is
the French premier coming to the
United States?" The answer which one
gets in official circles is that much can
be achieved by two men who carry upon
their shoulders a tremendous RESPONSE
hility talking frankly together. France
and the United States have similar
economic interests in Europe today
They represent the essence of capitalism
and have the great common interest
OF saving this system from anarchy
Consequently, in the economic ano
financial field the American and the
French interests are identical But
today it is impossible to divorce eco
Monies from politics. Consequently, one
discussion must lead to another.
Theory Is Simple.
The French theory is simple: GIVE
us some sort OF guarantee that you will
help us or merely consult with us should
the peace of Europe be threatened and