Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-02
BY G. H. ARCHAMBAULT.

~ ARIS.-At a meeting of the
- French Superior War Council in
the Elysee Palace this week
i Marshal Petain emphasized the
reasons why France cannot con-
slider taking the lead in armament re-
auctions.
Petain outlined the accomplishments
of the plans for fortifying the eastern
frontiers and pointed to the necessity
of such Notifications, based on the re-
duction of the period Of compulsory
military service from three years to two
during the last 10 years. This, he said,
despite Germany's enforced disarma-
ment actually gives France smaller
standing army of trained troops than
Germany.
illusions were made, it is understood.
to the disarmament conversations OF
French officials with Secretary Stimson
of the American State Department dur
ing his recent visit here, and to Presi-
dent Hoover's position on disarmament
French Preparing Brief.
Because President Hoover suggested
a moratorium and because the American
position seems to link war debts with
ornaments, there are officials at the
foreign Office and the ministry OF war
in Paris who are curtailing their va
cations this Summer. They are working
on the preparation of the French brief
for the disarmament conference that Is
to meet next February in Geneva. This
brief has been calling for much study,
for France knows that she will have to
face strong opposition to her views and
must be ready to rebuff many argu-
ments. Now there must be further STUDY
in the light Of President Hoove-'s pro-
nouncementS.
In point of fact, the proposal for
debt holiday" is considered here to
have strengthened the French case In
certain particulars, especially as con-
Germs the value of treaties. The argyll
ment runs thus:
"The United States may explain and
explain again that it will play no part
in European affairs, that woodrow Will
son lacked plenary powers, that Cnarles
G. Dawes and owen D. Young acted as
private citizens, but the fact remains
that in the elaboration of the covenant
of the League of Nations. the treaty OF
Versailles. the Dawes plan and the
Young plan American views were para
mount. Nevertheless, the United states
has not accepted the covenant, and IL
has played leading part IN mod1fying
the treaty Of Versailles and In replacing
the Dawes plan by the Young plan.
day, has modified the Young plan
which was to be definite and intangible.
Lacks Faith In Pacts.
Therefore it is proved that it Is not
possible for France to base her foreign
policy on pacts and conventions, Tor
no sooner are pacts and conventions
accepted than they are nullif1ed. In
1914 there was talk Of scraps Of paper
Postwar diplomatic instruments seem
to have no better fate. Now the United
States Is taking very active part In
preparations for the Disarmament Con.
ference. What is to be the outcome OF
this conference? Another pact? An
other convention? Another scrap OF
paper'?"
Following this train Of thought, the
French consider that all recent events
have given greater force to their initial
contention that before they disarm they
must have security. President Hoover
links ornaments and debts. The French
will link them, too. but in this wise:
When you Americans deal with
debts, in the final analysis you demand
security. You proposed moratorium
to obtain such security. You would not
grant further credits to Germany until
she gave security. If there must be Sc
curly Ton money, there must be eeellxttyl