Evening star., 1932-04-24

Continued From First Pagel
the Secretary of State informed about
the developments at the conference 1t
appeared useless for him TO leave the
United States until after the French
elections
Some observers of French polities
asserted that France as a whole sttN
lives in a state Of fear, and that n4
political party wouN be able to travef
a long way on the road of disarma~
ment with the United States and Greaf
Britain without some tangible securitY
pact. The views Of such Observers
however, were never taken very ser
iously in the State Department.
Sudden Change.
During the Easter recess of the Ge-
neva conference the view that one
must wait for the French election be-
fore anything can be done changes
suddenly Something has happened Il
it was whispered in usually well inf
formed circles, An agreement now Is
not only possible, but probable. The
Secretary had better hasten and come
to Geneva to cinch the deal" OF
course, it was added no sanguine re-
suits must be expected. The only
thing this conference can achieve is a
limitation and possibly a reduction in
size of the offensive weapons such
as gas tanks, submarines, long range
guns and possibly battleships. But
even such meager results could be con-
sidered satisfactory. They are good
beginning and open the possibility OF
more and better conferences.
Mr.. Stimson left Washington in a
hurry. But at Geneva he found that
things were not so rosy as they were
painted to him in Washington. Inc
Danubian confederation plan hno COM
pIetely failed while he was still on the
high seas And that confederation was
to have been the beginning OF new
era in Europe's economic and political
reconstruction.
When he reached Paris and called on
Andre Tardieu, the French prime min
lister told him with his usual blunt
frankness that France cannot consent
to give up a gun or man without
something tangible in exchange. And
that tangible something" he indicated
clearly is a security pact.
The Secretary, of course, turned
deaf ear. He knows the meaning OF
security pact. The country refused to
consider even a consultative pact at
time when the situation in Europe was
less tense than it is today
french Debt Attitude.
The intimation that France intends
to fulfill her financial obligations
towards the United States at the ex-
piration of the Hoover moratorium Is
easy to understand.
FTance has taken a definite stand in
regard TO treaties If any nation, like
japan in the Far East, chooses to break
them, this is Japans business. But
France herself cannot give Europe the
bad example of disregarding interna-
tional obligations.
This, at least, is the point OF view OF
of the French government. France, in
accordance with the Berenger- er-Melloa
agreement. is permitted to postpone
payment of the principal Of the DEBT
for term of three years. She must,
however, continue to pay the interest
on the debt The present French gov
ernment intends consequently TO avail
itself fully of all the advantages Of the
debt agreement, but means, it is as
serted. to pay the S25,O0OOOO she owes
this country as interest.
Whether the next French government
will be in the same frame of mind is
different question, which nobody can
answer. Although it seems logical that
any French government should follow
the reasoning of M. Tardieu, 1t is posi-
Bile that the French chamber should op-
pose such a move The French cham
Der has ratified the debt agreement, but
has added to the ratification act a
clause whereby it is stated that should
France cease to receive payments from
Germany. she would not pay her credi-
tors until her debtor resumes payments.
This additional clause does not con-
Germ the United States because it was
not included in the original debt agree
ment 1t was added by the French
chamber, and, as far as the United
States is concerned, it is void. But in
the opinion of the French house of
it is as valid as the rest
Of the agreement since the ratification
was conditional to that clause.