Evening star., 1932-10-16
Britain Nervous on Eve
OF Parliament Session
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, October 15.-with the re-
openine of Parliament fixed for Tues
day, Downing street buEses With politi-
csi activity and the cominss and go
ings Of distinguished visitors.
Eamonn De Valeras arrival to discuss
q possible solution of the Anglo Irish
tariff war conceded with the departure
OF Premier Herriot of France on Friday
after conversations with Prime Minister
Macdonald. The purpose of those con-
vefsations was to pave the way Tor
four power conference, designed to en-
courage Germany to reverse her de-
cision not to attend the Geneva Dis
armament Conference unless her claims
to an equality status on armaments are
conceded.
The League of Nations meets next
month to consider the Lytton report on
Manchuria and. in view Of Japan
tY,,culent attitude and the notorious
endeavors to influence French opinion
BY wholesale corruption Of the Paris
press. the urgent need for consolidating
the European position in regard to the
Far Eastern challenge Is strongly 1eit.
II is realized that If respect for the
validity Of the League covenant ana FOR
treaties cannot be enforced In this
fragrant case, the whole frail structure
OF international Accommodation and
agreements will be shattered and the
nations will be flung back to reliance
ON force. the reconstitution OF new
balance Of power and consequent re-
sumption OF the frenned race in com
petitive armaments.
Both French and German opinion
have been impressed BY Japan's appar-
ent success in treating the League
covenant. the Kellogg Anti-war pact
and the nine-power treaty as scraps OF
paper and ere tempted to react to force
as the only basis Of existence. The peril
is aggravated by the mood OF the
present German government.
Fourteen years Of failure to secure
reconsideration Of such burning ques-
ttons As the Polish Corridor. As weN AS
the obdurate attitude OF France In re-
sNrd TO ArmAments, has destroyed Ger
YnAny's confidence In the possibility oi
a redress OF her grievances BY agreement
and has remilitariEed the thought OF
the country. The reArmAment OF Ger.
many rather than the disarmament OF
her r1eiehbors Is becoming increasinely
her main objective.
whether this dangerous tendency can
be checked and Germany brought bach
to the council table remains to be seen.
Herriot's new plan, which was the prob
able subject Of his conversation with
Macdonald, Is directed to that end
Il marks an advance over Andre
Tardieus proposal last February. II i
understood to provide for regional pActe
on the basis OF the LOcarno treaty, put
not involving armed Intervention on
the part OF England or the United
states; for q consultative pact by which
England and the United States would
be bound TO stigmatiEe an AgSressor and
isnore the old conception Of neutrality
and for the progressive establishment Of
an international police force.
4 = -
The chief defect OF the Herriot pro-
poeal Is that It appears to be entirely
concerned with the problem Of security
and disreGards the crucial subject OF
disarmament. Nothing is said about
PRESIDENT hoover's principle OF reduc-
tion Of armaments by one-third. 1t !:
not expected here that the plan As II
stands will effect change In the Ger.
man attitude. A large measure Of posi-
tive disarmament u vital.
Moreover, German press COMMENT
see In the plan q scheme for the pro.
lection OF the vested interests which TIT
peace treaties have created. Preserva'
ton of the existing froatiefs is to b
secuped by international sanctions tt
the permanent detriment Of thofe De.
feAted powers whose cardinal demand
is for q revision Of the anomalies Af1t
grievances Of the peace treaties.
II Germany II TO Be reconciled morS
positive Aetbun for Appeasement Is neces'
sAty, and the impression prevails her'
that Macdonald y prepared to give thu
lead Public opinion In Britain n pro-
foundly disturbed BY the weakness d
Sir John 0tmonD conduct Of foreigl
AfRAts ana his tendency to revolve II
the orbit Of France. Mcdonald 4
credited with having realized tina
Europe looks to Great Britain as tn
only power IN position TO give 1t |
way Of escape nom an impending
disaster. Whatever his proposals are, i
Is agreed that they muft b bAssd q
the fact that the only hope Of counter
mt the intentions Of o1rmAnys mill
tAY1BtS = decisive, unequivocal ant
substantial measure Of disarmament
tcopyritht lvS7)