Evening star., 1932-06-19
MACDONALD TAKES HELM
AT LAUSANNE HOPEFULLY
Depends on Bold Action to Turn Tide of
Representations in Better
Mood to Cooperate.

time being to keep the center in Lau-
same rather than in Geneva The
reason for this y laid to be British
politics.
Arthur Henderson was chosen presi-
dent OF the disarmament conference
while he was still foreign minister Of
the British Labor government. he
failed Of reelection and pcame a SIM
pie citizen, yet he kept the presidency
OF the disarmament parley He re-
mained a Laborite, while Macdonald
took the premiership of the national
cabinet. If Henderson had resigned
tne disarmament Craftsmanship Mac
Donald would doubtless have presided
at Geneva.
The disarmament conference TODAY
Is confused and deadlocked. 1t is an
open secret that Macdonald and Hen
oerson 90 not get along, and it is ru-
mored that Macdonald feels he could
nave succeeded with the disarmament
gathering where Henderson appears to
nave failed. In any case. Macdonald
now has conference of his own, and
apparently he hopes to settle even dis
armament here in Lausanne.
Disarmament. says MacDonald, "is
really part Of our work" here in Lau-
same Although Macdonald wants to
AVOID detailed program or premature
technical discussions, it is beginning TO
De clear how the problems are shaping
up.
Agreement Is Sought.
1t was agreed Thursday to drive full
speed ahead for rapid, final and new
settlement Of war debts and reparations
ana give Germany moratorium until
tnlS Is accomplished YESTERDAY the
principal powers stated their repara-
tlonS viewpoints. Germany said it can
not even nope to pay any more. Great
britain favored wiping the slate clean.
france seemed to want to let GERMANY
Oh lew years and then have it re-
sumo payments on lower scale. saw
oo0,oOo,OOO marks ts154, 100000 a year.
Regarding war debts. the Germans
are not interested, the British want to
wipe out at least the intra- European war
debts in the hope that the limited
states VIII thereafter be equally gener-
Gus. while the French seem to want to
make a new settlement contingent
finally on some sort of action by the
United States
,looay IN private talks. ways of recon-
cling these initial standpoints are be-
ing sought. Naturally, the question of
ITozen private credits in Germany is
closely IN the background Meanwhile
IT is urgent to help Austria. The
ieagueS Austrian Aid Committee came
mere today. But with the Austrian
question arises the question Of a. Dam
uDe economic bloc.
Inere Is project to widen this bloc
IN sort of continental European
union. including not only the smaller
countries but Germany. italy and
france. So Sweden, Norway. Denmark.
holland. Belgium and Luxembourg.
Whlch have been trying to negotiate
an economic bloc in Geneva, are COM
ing here today.
Many Issues Raised.
The project for economic unions
raises various tariff and monetary
questions, which in turn raise credit
questions and that of cooperation of
the central banks And with all this
arises the general peace question.
If craftsmanship is to overcome
economic difficulties, which are our
chief concern here" says Macdonald.
1T must secure a period of settled
political tranquility when the nations,
putting their economic affairs in order.
may not be distracted by dread Of
wars and rumors of war. At some
point OF our deliberations We may have
to turn our minds to that"
What he refers to is a general peace
declaration, which :, already being
discussed among the British. French
and Germans. Thus gradually, little
by little, proceeding organically. Mac
Donald hopes to build up his confer
ence to universal success.
(Copyright, 1927