Evening star., 1932-02-14
London Is More Hopeful
For Arms Limitations
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, February 13-During the
week now ending a more hopeful feeling
was noticeable here regarding the world
Disarmament Conference. Fears that
events in the Far East would tend to
give the conference an atmosphere Of
reality were not realized. On the con-
trary, all the commentators on the
Geneva meeting agree that the effect
has been to present an object lesson
which emphasizes the urgncy Of action
and enforces the imperative need Of de-
cisive results.
The fact that the League of Nations
| Council was engaged at the same time
in dealing with the Sino-Japanese sit
uation adds the quality Of realism to
the discussions 1t Is understood here
that the big powers are now nearer the
point of considering the withdrawal of
their Ambassadors from Japan and an
economic boycott, If the United States
| is willing to act similarly and simul-
taneously. This is considered uncer-
tain; hence the doubt and hesitation.
\ y 4
| Moreover, the position Of France Is
! obscure and the London Daily Express
on Thursday published a challenging
declaration to the effect that the Franco
Japanese understanding provides for
French support of the japanese policy
in China in return for japanese support
of France In Europe and at Geneva
| The newspaper comments also on the
remarkable rise of armament shares in
France, alleged to be due to fulfllment
of the arms requirements of Japan by
French firms. This statement is re-
J with hut
SentS an undercurrent of disquiet with
respect to the French attitude and a
| growing feeling that Japan is not likely
to pursue a high-handed policy with
out some assurance from powerful
| friends
The sentiment Of the League Council
was illustrated by the burst of general
laughter which greeted the japanese
delegates statement that Japan had no
intention Of continuing hostilities which
had been provoked by the Chinese.
Under the shadow of the Shanghai
menace the deliberations of the Disarm-
ament Conference have developed a
wide area of agreement in spite of the
, perplexing note introduced by the
! French proposals and supported by the
Polish and Belgian allies Of France
Comment here Is generally critical of
these proposals, which involve an en-
| tirely new basis for the League and the
establishment of an armed superstate
1t is pointed out that apart from the
practical difficulties of the scheme. it
rules out the cooperation of the United
States and Russia. which would alone
be fatal to the idea.
| Moreover the French proposal Is not
related to the purpose Of the confer
ence, which Is concerned with effecting
disarmament, subject untouched in
Andre Tardieu's scheme. The new
statesman expresses the view here
brutally: "The French plan Is not q
disarmament plan at ALL and it re-
mains to be seen whether they intend
to upset the apple cart"
| Whatever the intention of the French
scheme, the main current Of the dis
cussions at Geneva disclosed powerful
support for the preparatory disarma-
| ment commissions proposals, and the
speeches Of Ambassador Hugh Gibson
of the United States and Foreign Min
lister Dino Grandi of Italy especially
made deep impression on public opin-
ion here. Every one. France excepted
agrees on the abolition of gas and
meteorological warfare and the immun-
Iity Of civilian population from attack
and q fact generally welcomed here
Is the practical unanimity in regard tc
the abolition Of heavy ornaments, both
IN ships and guns. which are anstru'