The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-05-03
France and the u. s. A.

The apparent victory Of the left liberal groups
in the French elections is ray of hope in the other
wise dark international scene.
in Germany the drift is toward the reactionary
right, with Hiter and his Fascsts victorious in
Prussia today and probably in the rest Of the Reich
soon.
In England the tories rule behind the thin screen
Of national coalition government and the powerless
prime minister, Ramsay Macdonald, who no longer
represents labor.
In France the Tardieu government has cooper
ated with British tory policy in foreign affairs The
result has been strong bloc of European powers
aiding japanese imperialism in the east-at least
to the extent OF preventing the League of Nations
from forming a united front with the United States
to preserve the peace treaties in China and Man
churia against Japanese aggression.
Tardieu's government also has helped to prevent
effective progress toward disarmament at the Geneva
conference. 1t has delayed a settlement of the
reparations issue And it has tried to its eastern
European military satellites against Russia
II Herriot and his group as successful in the
runof elections next Sunday as in the first voting
last Sunday the Tardieu ministry is expected TO fall
and to be followed by left liberal government.
Even though foreign policy not major issue
in the election, and even though there is no chance
of the anticipated left government making funda-
mental changes in French foreign policy. Herriot,
on the basis of his past performances, can be ex-
pected to modify the extremes of Tardeu imperialism
Specifically, left government in Paris would be
more conciliatory toward Germany. That is neces-
sary atmosphere for successful reparations negota
tons, upon which improvement in European political
and economic conditions depend
Effect Of change in French cabinets upon the
world disarmament conference would be beneficial,
at least to the extent of modifying the nationalist
hates and fears which poison the Geneva air.
Whether a Herriot government would revert to
the earlier BRAND policy opposing Japanese i'm
perialism would continue the virtual entente
formed by Tardieu with the British tories and Jap
anese militarists. is too early to predict. r.
Is, The new cabinets far eastern policy, however,
hardly could be worse than Tardieus and it probably
would be better The same is true regarding Frances
Russian policy.
Probably at no time since the World has the
international crisis been grave as now and at no
time has Frances political and economic power been
greater.
1t is difficult to see how international peace can
be maintained and international prosperity revived
unless French policy becomes more concilatory.
From the American point of view. the most dan
gerous aspect of the entire situation the apparent
intention Of France and Britain to isolate us in the
far eas-a setup which encourages further japanese
aggression and which easily might in the end, lead
to world war; with the United States holding the bag.
Therefore American interests involved vitality
in the French election and any modification OF French
foreign policy which may result.