Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-26
BY FREDERICK oECHSNER.

HERLIN.-Germany squarely re-
* jects the French memorandum
on ornaments, submitted this
- week to the League Of Nations,
and insists that the only guar
antee OF safety in Europe Is equality in
ornaments, at least In principle.
The least restrained German opinion
represents "a policy half way between
megalomania and persecution" and Is
a clear sign that France intends TO
thwart any reduction in ornaments
whatsoever.
1882 Conference Spiked.
This can hardly be taken here or
anywhere else to augur well for the
success of the Disarmament Confer
ence to open in Geneva next Febru-
airy. With France and Germany so
completely in disagreement on major
issues. it would seem that the 1882
Conference Is spiked far in advance.
The amicability demonstrated between
German and French statesmen in the
last week-a friendlineSs held here to
be of historic importance-may prove
to be valuable in meeting the knotty
practical problems Of guns and powder,
but the outlook at present is dubious.
The charge is made in some quarters
here that publication of the French
memorandum was premeditated and
was direct effort to sabotage the
London Seven-Power Conference. It is
pointed out semi-oficially, however,
that the memorandum was two weeks
old at the time of its publication, which
was made necessary by certain tndis-
Greet revelations in the preSA
1t is constantly reiterated in the dis
cussions here, of course. that German
disarmament under the Versailles
treaty was intended only as a begin
ming OF program that the other ma
tons were to follow. Germany dosc not
demand ornaments for herself so much
as disarmament for others, but at the
same time she sticks to the meager
rights granted her under the Versailles
treaty.
Would Discuss Program.
Thus, in respect to building another
"vest-pocket battleship" to follow the
remarkable cruiser Deutschland, re-
Gently launched, spokesman Of Official
opinion told this correspondent that,
while Germany is unable to consider
relinquishing this second cruiser as q
political concession to France in return
for financial assistance, the Reich is not
averse to discussing the merits of her
naval program, as limited as it Is. at
the coming Geneva Conference. Ger
many would consent to having her
naval ornaments fitted into almost any
system that the conference might agree
upon, but not under political pressure,
so the spokesman stated.
The situation as it now stands can
not continue for long. The question of
disarmament is the keystone of inter-
national politics and if no solution is
found. only the highest tension in in
ternational relationship can result, &C.
cOrdinG to this authority,
Reductions Challenged.
France is understood to mean in her
memorandum that she does not intend
to reduce her ornaments, and the claim
that she already has largely done so IS
challenged by German military experts.
They assert that only transformation
and reorganization have taken place,
which cannot be construed as an actual
reduction of arms. If Germany in the
interests of disarmament is not allowed
to have ar7nored tanks, airplanes, sub
marines. heavy artillery, etc. then
these must likewise be forbidden to
other nations, SO Germany opines.
The National League of German
Oh1cers in a announcement on the
French memorandum declares the time
has come for Germany to arm to the
limit Of her power. In a telegram to
Chancellor Bruening while h was in
London this week, the German Navy
League, q famous old organization which
was behind the pre-war German naval
program, but which today has scant
following. has hoisted its colors again
and emphasized the absolute necessity
Of carrying through the building of the
second cruiser.
In all accuracy it must be said that
the disarmament question, even in view
Of the French memorandum, is far
overshadowed today by the more press
ing economic difficulties which face
Germany. The people are far more
concerned with questions of credit than
with those of guns. Which might be
considered a healthy sign.
(Copyright. 1891