Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13
j. S. ARMS VIEWS
MAY HIT LEAGUE
Likely to End Body's Force in
World Affairs by NuIIify-
ing Two Articles.
BY FRANCIS M. MANSFIELD.
BY Cable to The Star.

rhANCIS M. MANSFIELD.
BY Cable to The Star.
GENEVA, September 12.-The Dis
armament Conference, which meets
here in February, may have a conse-
quence beyond the scope of the terms
under which 1t is to be convened. It
may end the League of Nations posi-
ton as force in world affairs by nuIli-
Tying two of the most important arti-
cles OF the covenant. This possibility
Is growing upon the delegates to the
League Assembly as they inform their
respective governments of the inplica-
IONS contained in the announcements
this week.
1t is evident today that disarmament
dominates every other world considera-
tlon, even the restoration of prosperity.
as there Is an increasing school of
thought ready to accept Viscount
Cecils thesis that prosperity depends
on the reduction of arms Moreover
disarmament is considered of such
paramount importance that 1t is def
nitely accepted here that the conference
cannot be adjourned, as no power
would assume responsibility for such
adjournment.
Although disarmament is not in
cluded in the agenda of the current
sessions, there is such latitude in re-
viewing the years work before the As
sembly that it virtually has been the
only topic this week.
Grandi Proposes Holiday.
Dino Grandi, the Italian foreign
minister, accepted as voicing American
suggestions at the outset of the session
10y proposing an arms holiday, virtually
compelled the leading nations to show
their hands. The reaction to this
speech has been significant, and it is
clear now that the task of the dele
gates of the nations next February will
be simplified by this: Is the American
or the French conception Of disarmar
ment to prevail?
Tersely put, the issue is between doc
trine and practice. France says that
in order to disarm the nations must
first organize for security and mutual
assistance. America says the only way
to disarm is by disarming.
The French doctrine, as confirmed oy
Foreign Minister Aristide BRAND on
Friday, is based on the universally of
the League of Nations Article VIII OF
the covenant foreshadowing diSarma-
ment IN the light of national security
and international obligations and Article
XVI defining the duties of the nations
when war impends. Only Frances al
lies uphold this view, with the possible
exception of Japan.
Influenced BY Russia.
Though passing almost unnoted IN
comparison with Grandi's speech, the
japanese delegate this week included
one pregnant passage in his address, IN
which he declared that although his
country had already reduced the num-
Der of divisions in its army, its policy
is conditioned by the attitude Of pow
ers having close, connection with
Japan's national defense" meaning
Russia. Rumania and Poland, both
holding to the French point OF view.
consider the Soviets in the same light
and France herself is not averse to be-
ing reckoned as the main European de-
Tense against Bolshevist aggression.
America-not a member OF the
League-holds that disarmament can
come before security because it is
matter of mutual confidence and gen.
eral frame of mind much more than
formal written documents She has the
support of Britain; Russia. also non
member of the League; Italy; Germany
the German leaders recently have
been doubling the Leagues value
Spain. the Scandinavian countries, Hol-
land and others. All these nations
place realities before theories and the
more important among them refuse to
listen to any pacts of mutual assist
ance.
The issue for February could not be
defined clearer than it has been this
week. One group Of nations takes a
stand on two articles OF the League of
Nations covenant. Another larger and
more influential group takes a stand
that disarmament can be accomplished
by a practical willingness to disarm
without complications based on doc
trine. AS the two articles in question
form the whole foundation of the
League. it will receive terrific blow if
the doctrinaires lose in February.
Copyright, 1917