Evening star., 1932-11-13
BY FRANK II. SIMONDS.

MEXICAN attention has been
n too closely fixed upon domestic
IA politics to pay much attention
A \ to the French proposals fol
limitation and reduction oi
ornaments which have plunged al
Europe into a new discussion OF the
problem of disarmament. Now that the
American campaign is over clear un-
derstanding of these proposals Is es-
sential to any grasp of the next moves
on the European chess board.
Basically, the French proposals marx
no change from the position French
statesmen have taken ever since the
Peace Conference opened, Is years ago
At Paris Wilson YVES one day con-
froated by the plan of Leon Bourgeolc
for the creation of q general staff to
direct the army which the Frenchman
proposed should be established to pro-
vide wilson's League of Nations with
the necessary police force. And, ever
since at the bottom of every French
suggestion has been the provision FOR
such force.
The new French proposal of Herriot
follows the familiar line. The League
Is to have an army made up of de-
tachments trained by the several COR
tinental powers, but trained for League
not national, purposes. Moreover, the
brought to renew their pledges OF the
Covenant of the League of Nations to
use force against any nation resorting
to aggression. Finally, there are to be
still further agreements between ma
tions for the preservation of peace in
regions which Immediately concern
them.
Requests to Be Made Of U. S.
All this program is restricted to the
continental states. The Anglo-Saxon
powers are not to be asked TO under
take to supply troops for the army OF
the League of Nations or ships for any
international sea police. On the other
hand, certain very precise demands are
to be made Thus the United States is
to be asked to abandon the theory OF
the freedom of the seas and the rights
of neutrals. If the League of Nations
undertakes to act against any offending
nation, the United States is to be re-
quired to give assurances in advance
that it will not try to go on trading
with this nation.
This means in simple terms that the
French have taken Mr.. Stimson at his
word and now are looking to the United
States and to the American Congress
to give concrete proof of the acceptance
of the Stimson doctrine. In his New
York speech last August, the American
Secretary of State made two sensa-
tional announcements: First, that the
ratification of the Kellogg pact by the
United States carried with 1t the OBJ
legation to go to conference with the
other signatory nations in case OF in
ternaticnal crisis; second, that the pact
itself abolished neutrality.
It is this latter assertion which IN
tarested the French and in fact, Europe
as a whole. If the outlawing OF war
eliminated neutral rights by making
war a crime, and therefore matter OF
concern for all nations, then patiently
the United States has no right to go
ca trading with a criminal nation or
acting in any way to interfere with
measures taken by other governments
to restrain or coerce the law-breaking
nation. On the contrary, the United
States is at least morally bound to
heip, end not hinder, the disciplinary
process. That, at least, is the Stimson
doctrine as Europe interprets 1t.
It is some such assurance as this
that the French have been after ever
sinoe the United States rejected the
tripartite treaty of guarantee which
Wilson and Lloyd George gave Clemen-
ceau at Paris. France, with Poland and
the little enter.te, has no desire to ac-
rl ire new territory in Europe or disturb
the existing order. 1t satisfies their
national ambitions. Therefore they are
under no temptation to resort to force.
In any conceivable crisis they will be
attacked-not guilty Of aggression.
Defeated Seek Revision.
It is Germany, Hungary, Bulgaria and
Austria-the defeated nations OF the
World War-which desire to bring about
a revision of the present situation, thus
recovering their lost territories and thelI
enslaved minorities. And today there Is
no method by which this revision can
be achieved save by war. But Il the
United States is committed in advance
not to aid Germany and her former al
lies by financial assistance and not tc
insist upon the right to trade VIII
them, then France and her allies Zee
reasonably safe.
The idea in the back Of the French
mind is to get American and Brltlsr
n material re-ources, II not their military
h and financial forces, back OF the existing
Z territorial order in Europe, or at tns
\ very least to insure that Great Britain
and America will not aid IN the over
+ throw of that system. If the League o.
4 Nations is supplied with standing
army. If the nations interested In th'
preservation of the existing order are
united in a new plan to act together
against any disturbance, II the Anglo
saxon powers are committed IN advance
to recognize League co-operatlon-an'
Britain, of course, is morally bound a!
a member of the League-then th'
French requirements for security, II no no
wholly satisfied, are recognized as tn
limit of present possibility.
When the United States was TO be
member of the League of Nations-tha
Is. during the Peace Conference an'
until the end of the Senate fght-tn
French and their allies assumed tina
American force would be available .
keep European peace. 1t was tnel
belief in the ability of Wilson to brini
this about that led the French to con
sent, very reluctantly. to be sure,
resign their plan for a permanent occu