Evening star., 1932-06-27
HOPES FOR HOOVER
ARMS PLAN FADE
Less Cheerful Atmosphere
Marks Reports From Lau-
same ParIey.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

There was a less cheerful atmosphere
today in official quarters in Washington
in regard to an early acceptance of the
Hoover disarmament plan. Further
more, whatever meager news was re-
ceived from Europe about the Repara
ton Conference at Lausanne was OF a
negative character. everything pointing
out that the most that could be expect
ed is a temporary settlement OF the
German reparation payments.
The stumbling block which prevents
a serious discussion Of the Hoover plan
is France 1t is true that Premier
Herriot and his chief lieutenant, Paul
Boncour, had expressed themselves. pri-
vately and officially, mildly in favor
with the fundamental ideas of the Pres
ident. Both French leaders. as well as
the party they are representing, are in
favor of disarmament, but this ques-
tion in France is not political but
a national, matter. Mr.. Herriot has
found that the French nation is not
willing to accept any disarmament, in
spite of the precarious financial and
economic situation of the country, with
out security pact or at least a con-
sultative pact.
Powerless to Accept.
Under these circumstances, however.
fayorably disposed the French states
men may be, they are not in position to
accept any disarmament proposal. The
French, it is pointed out are intensely
nationalistic because they are afraid
of the rising power of their neighboTs,
the Germans and the Italians.
The Hoover disarmament proposal is
not likely to be completely discarded.
It will continue TO simmer and will be
discussed at Geneva and in Paris and
London for the next few months, prob
ably until after the American preSl-
dental elections. 1t is fully expected
here that the Geneva Conference which
is deadlocked at the present moment
will be adjourned after the end OF the
Lausanne Conference, Ito study care
fully the American disarmament plan,
and will reconvene sometime next Fall
to discuss the various proposals diner
ent nations may have to make In the
light of the suggestions Of the President
of the United States.
The European nations have come 10
the final conclusion that reparatlons,
debts and disarmament are closely IN
terlinked. They also believe that this
theory while not oficially accepted in
America, is accepted by most American
political men who are not in position
to admit this relation on account OF the
presidential campaign.
Feel Need for Delays.
Bv postponing the settlement of these
matters until after November 4 they
nope they have everything to gain. IL
is believed that any President the
American people will elect will nave 10
take into consideration the world prob
lens of today and try and work out In
cooperation with the other nations
some solution satisfactory to all. The
French and the British realize that In
order to gain Americas good will it VIII
be necessary to start with the disarma-
ment question. and for this reason, al
though the Hoover disarmament pro-
posal is not, in it's present form, ac-
ceptable to either of these two nations,
their leaders have been careful not to
say so too bluntly The consensus OF
opinion in Europe is that if some sub
stantial progress is made in the matter
of disarmament the American Congress
will be less opposed to reducing sub
sta ntiallv the war debts.
The French have been led to believe
that If the financial and disarmament
questions are out of the wey the Ameri-
can Government might be induced to
enter into a consultative pact, with no
obligation to join in any military VEN
ture.
They base this belief on the electoral
platform of the Republican party. which
proposes to give ample rights to the
President to attend any political or
economic conference whenever the situ-
alton may require that America should
be represented.
The recent close cooperation Of the
American Government with the mem-
bers of the League of Nations in the
Sino-Japanese conflict is held as typi-
cal example Of Americas preparedness
to consult with the rest of the world
to avoid war.