Evening star., 1932-02-27

newspaper man slapped the face of the
Hungarian prime minister in a cor
ridor Of the League secretariat. What
to do about the felony gave the Sec
retariat fur1ously to think. Somebody
suggested sending for a Swiss police
man. But the Swiss police have no
rights on League territory. Having
no laws Of its own against breaches
Of the peace in Geneva, the League
| couldn't deal with the Hungarian
scribe. Finally, a Swiss cops serv-
ices were Communicated, but as he
didn't know what to do with the cul-
prit, once he had him, the Budapest
journalist was sent on his way rejoicing,
scot free. For while Leaguers thought
their sovereign soil might, as a result
of the incident, become q sanctuary
for fugitives from justice.
X X
If this radioscribe had to guess the
one positive, tangible result more Ger
tain than any other to emerge from
the Disarmament Conference, he would
say it is the abolition of chemical and
archaeological warfare. Virtually the
spokesman of every country has adVo-
Gated it. The spokesman Of no coun-
try has opposed 1t. Germany, possessor
of the greatest chemical industry in the
world, has gone farther than anybody
else in proposing the prohibition of
preparations for gas warfare. Her ex-
ample, when put forward by her dele
CATION chief, Herr Nadolny, on Febru-
ary IS, received loud acclaim, because
1t savored of industrial self-sacrifice
Men admit the difficulty of utterly
guaranteeing that a nation at war,
fighting for Its life, would never resort
to prescribed methods of self-preserya-
ton, like liquid fire, poison gas and
other chemical terrors. But there is a
fairly unanimous view that a conven-
ton barring their use, solemnly signed
by the civilized world, would be a
powerful deterrent, even in the face of
dire temptation.
Geneva is the scene of incessant So
cial gatherings built around men and
women of many lands who once were
on diplc-.atic duty in the United
States. Almost every conference dele
CATION contains them. Jean Pelenyi,
for 10 years counselor of the Hungarian
legation at Washington, and his Amer
ican wife keep open house for the
Yankee contingent. Mr.. and Mrs. Mat
sudaira OF Japan, with fond recollec-
LIOllS Va "oSA4AAletOus are frequent
hosts. Signor RosSo, one Of Grandi's
right-hand men, had several years of
service on the Potomac. DR.. Drechsler
Of the German delegation used to be
headmaster Of boys prep school in
New England. Sir Arthur Willert, one
time London Times correspondent in
the United States, is active in the Brit
ish delegation. DR.. Yen, the Chinese
chief, Is just in Geneva, he says. ION
leave of absence from Washington"
Senior de Madariaga, who has a Scotch
wife, regrets that his career as the
Spanish republics first Ambassador to
America was terminated lust after IL
had begun. Michel Kwapiszewsli. for
several years charge d'affaires of Poland
In America, Is another old-time WASH
ingtonian at Geneva. Vice Admiral
Nagano, q delegate Of Japan. was once
Nippon's naval attache In the United
States.
Japan has more than twice as many
people on her conference delegation
as any other nation-90 or 90 alto
gether. The Sx anation is that the
delegation wants % have on the spot
here an authority on every conceivable
subject that can possibly bob up. So
Mr.. Matsudaira's big staff includes lust
the officials or authorities who would be
consulted in Toxic, If their advice or
instructions had to be sought by cable.
It was an expensive undertaking to
take over two entire floors Of Geneva's
largest hotel, but on the whole it was
decided to be the best thing to do.
(Copyrieht 1oaoN