Evening star., 1932-10-25
j. s. NOT TOD|SCUSS|
MUSSOL|N|'S PLEA|
State Department Silent on
All Foreign Affairs Pend
ing Election.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

There was no official comment today
on the plea of Premier Mussolini of
Italy to the people of the United States
to show leniency toward the debtor ma
tionS.
The State Department will maintain
silence in regard to any complicated
international affairs until after the cleo
tionS. For the time being, nothing but
ordinary routine work is done by the
American diplomatic officers. Even the
negotiations on the Franco-American
commercial treaty, which Ambassador
Edge has brought with him from Paris
have slowed down, and it is unlikely
that anything definite will be accom-
plished until after November 8.
But the question of the allied debts
continues to occupy the minds of the
heads of the administration. This is
not SO much the concern Of the State
or Treasury Departments, but of the
country as a whole, and of its repre-
sentatives in Congress.
There seems to be no doubt that the
feeling of the Congress, regardless of
who is elected November 8, is that as
long as the European nations cannot
agree on drastic reduction of arma-
mentS there can be no cancellation or
reduction of war debts. The idea of
connecting debts and disarmament is
strongly rooted in the minds of most
people in this country, and this not on
account of the, platonic and idealistic
side of the disarmament question, but
on account of its effect on the general
economic situation of the world.
Interested in Recovery.
The American people and their lead
ers, Republican and Democratic, are
chiefly interested in a general economic
revival AS long as nations continue
the mad armament race, due, it is said,
to the political situation of the world,
there can be no certainty that peace
will be maintained. If nations have
strong armies and navies, they always
Will be inclined to settle their disputes
by the force of arms. AS long as there
Is danger of war in the world, the
economic stability of all nations must
remain endangered. Consequently, the
great majority of the people of this
country and most of the members of
Congress maintain that a mere reduc-
ton or cancellation of debts would net
bring the desired economic results and
would mean only an additional burden
on the American taxpayers, without
any of the advantages of an interna-
IeNlNdl tI commerce.
Consequently, it is hardly thinkable
that Congress would agree to any debt
revision unless the ornaments con-
ference yielded some positive results.
Everybody is aware that there can be
no immediate drastic disarmament, but
the people Of this country, it is authori-
tatively stated. must be convinced that
the nations of the world have at least
the sincere desire to reduce the burden
Of armamen:S and Europe must lead the
way. 1t is understood that Japan, for
instance, will be extremely reluctant to
make any cuts in her national defense,
but If the principal world powers agree
to factual reduction, it will be well
nigh impossible for Japan not to follow
their lead.
Consequently it will be useless. it is
said. for any European power to ap-
proach the American Senate with a
plea for a drastic change in the status
of the debts, unless there is ample evi-
dence that they intend actually to re-
duce their armies, navies and air forces
French Demand Cited.
This brings to the fore the French
demand for security in the form of a
consultative pact. as Premier Herriot
has unequivocally indicated in his dis
armament plan. Here again it is most
unlikely that the United States will be
willing to enter into any definite writ
ten agreement with any other nation.
Secretary StimSon. in his radio address
Of August 8, stated definitely that
through the acceptance of the Kellogg
pact by the people Of the United States
America naturally is compelled to con-
suit with other nations in the case of
international complications, and has
done so directly or indirectly during
the last few years. Furthermore. the
electoral platform of both political
parties provide that the Government
of the United States will consult with
other nations in case of international
difficulties, in order to avoid wars. But
more than that, it is said in responsible
quarters. cannot be expected from the
American people.
Under these circumstances the eff
forts of the French premier, Edouard
Herriot, to overcome the opposition of
the French general staff to some actual
reductions of the French armed forces
are followed in official circles with a
great deal or interest. That Herriot
is honest in his endeavorS to find some
solution which would enable him to
reduce Frances military status, nobody
here has the slightest doubt. But in
the face OF GermanyS determination TO
obtain equality in ornaments and Mus
solinis support of the German thesis,
it is admitted that Herriot will have
to use all his powers of persuasion to
obtain concessions from his mighty gen.
eral staff The French Chamber is
meeting tomorrow and an important
debate on the question of France pay
ing her debts on December Is will be
brought up by the opposition. 1t is
said the French parliamentarians real
ize that it is impossible for the Herriot
administration to take up this question
with the American Government at the
present time. But the manner in which
Herriot will be able to handle his
chamber will be fully indicative as to
what may be expected from the French
government in connection with the
disarmament problem.