Evening star., 1932-09-28

A strong desire to continue efforts
toward world disarmament leads the
public in this country to hope that the
British note to Germany. in reply to
its contention that unless it is permit
ted to arm it will take no further part
in world arms reduction efforts. may
have the effect of modifying the atti-
tude Of France and other nations.
President Hoover's expression of hope
that Germany shall continue to par
ticipate in the Arms Conference, which
has now such promise of progress for
the entire world, and that she shall
lend her aid to this great purpose also
is credited with influence in the crisis.
AS throwing light on the subject, the
Paris correspondent of the New York
Herald Tribune finds belief that the
London note revealed Britain as re-
asserting her traditional role as bal
ancing force in Europe" while the Lon
/ don correspondent of the same paper
reports that ito both the French and
the Germans the British position ap-
peared too good to be true
Observing that this country is not
party to the Versailles treaty" the
Providence Journal declares that the
United States lis profoundly concerned
by actions of Germany which adversely
affect the chances of ultimate success of
arms limitation" The Journal ad-
vises: If Germany shows disposition
, to honor her treaty obligations. how
ever irksome and vexatious, until such
time as they can be altered through her
International agreements. she Will doubt
less receive the same kind of cooper
alton that she has obtained in flnan-
cial matters"
X X *'*
"The British reply to Germany" de-
c.ares the Buffalo Evening News, OF
ters in effect the policy of equality by
reduction, but not by any resumption
of building That, of course, is the idea
for which the United States stands.
The Germans may bring their sincerity
under question if they retire from the
conference when the course of events
is going so distinctly in the direction
for which they argue. The French
might help much by making definite
offer to reduce" Viewing the present
situation in the light of the American
demand for reductions among the ma
tions, the Houston Chronicle takes the
position that France ought to agree to
granting Germany reasonable pro
rata of armament under the new
treaty, and all the nations should join
with the United States in effecting a
one-third reduction in armaments." l"
The Topeka Daily Capital holds that
France is in an indefensibe position,
as are the other armed powers, with a
nation as important as the German
people reduced to the status of an in
State Journal voices the demand that
''if France does not want Germany to
arm. she will have to oisarm herself" ;"
The Roanoke Times advises that ito
keep Germany in position of infe-
riority, to continue to taunt her with
the fact that she was vanquished in
war, is simply to pave the way for new
troubles
THE movement toward progressive
disarmament on the part of the pow
ers represented at Geneva" in the
opinion of the Hartford Times, "can
be helped immensely by an expression
of German patience and moderation"
The Boston Transcript argues that IF
the Germans persist in their absten-
ton, they simply weaken their demand
for defensive equality before the whole
world, besides depriving the conference
OI Tie nope VI SuUStdIllldl TcSulCS. lie
Salt Lake Deseret News believes that
the desirable trend would be to bring
disarmament of the other powers down
to Germany's level"
X X X y
Interpreting the British position as
upholding the idea that leach state
may adopt for itself, in agreement with
others, limitation of its armament,
with no distinction as to status" the
Newark Evening News states: IF this
principle can be adopted and applied.