Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-25
POLITICAL TALKS
| WITH LAVAL FAIL
Friday Interview at White
House DeScribed-Pre-
mier "Freezes."
Continued From First Page. }

and economic angle As it was on
cially indicated before, neither of them
expected any positive results from this
meeting. But it is frankly stated
neither OF the men expected to see The
French and the American point Of
view so wide apart as 1t appeared at
the Friday night meeting.
First Question Unfortunate.
1t is possible that the opening ques-
ton was not very fortunate. The Pres
ident wanted to know whether the
French government would be agreeable
to considering the revision of the Ver-
sailles treaty in regard to the Dantzig
Corridor. He explained to the French
premier that Germany was sitting and.
since she is the principal debtor nation,
1t might be q good idea II France would
see f1t to relieve the situation by agree
ing to the revision Of the Versailles
treaty to mend a state of affairs which
is one OF the principal causes of the
present political restlessness in Europe.
Premier Laval was believed here to
be favorable TO such revision. Amer
lean reports from Paris have been say
ing this for the last four months. It
may be that M. Laval is, at the bottom
Of his heart, favorable to the retro
@SSion of the DantZig Corridor to Ger
nAny but President Hoover had to deal
in Washington with M. Laval as presi-
dent of the French Council of Ministers
and as such the French premier could
not agree even to listen to such O.
proposition.
M. Laval froze at once.
He answered that he was not here to
talk the question of the revision of any
treaty and Immediately changed the
conversation.
The talk then drifted toward the
question of disarmament and pacts.
The French premier wanted to know
under what conditions the United
States would be prepared to take a
more definite part in Europes affairs.
It was the Presidents turn to freeze.
U. S. Attitude Unchanged.
He answered that the attitude of the
United States had not changed in re-
gard to her participation in world
affairs; that this country has the firm
desire to help preserve the world
peace and 1t has proved this repeatedly
since the signature Of the Kellogg
BRAND pact. But outside that, this adj
ministration could and would not con-
slider engaging the United States in
any definite agreement, not even in an
apparently inocuouS consultative pact.
The French premier had been warned
that he would find it dif1cult to in
duce President Hoover to change his
attitude toward security or consultative
pacts, but he in turn had been led 10
think that because Secretary Stimson
had been flirting with the consultative
pact idea, the President of the United
States might be won over to that idea
too. Mr.. Hoover eased his mind on that
subject
The subject of disarmament L. said
to have occupied a good deal Of Mr..
Hoover's and M. Lavars time. The
French premier explained again at
length the French position on that
matter. A further reduction OF Frances
armies under the present conditions
and without Americas promise that
she would at least consult with other
nations in case Of a conflict, Is totally
impossible. Neither the French cabinet
nor the French Parliament would ever
agree to any further reductions. M.
Laval naturally explained to the Presi-
dent that France will do all she can to
further the idea of disarmament ana
would raise no obstacles to the coming
Geneva Conference; but France is de-
termined to maintain the army her
leaders think necessary to guarantee
her security and the integrity Of her
territory.