Evening star., 1932-06-12
Britain More Hopeful
Regarding Lausanne
BY A, G.. GARDINER.

LONDON, June IL ll.--President Eamonn
De Valerss visit to London on Friday,
which. in spite of the action Of the
Irish Senate in postponing the aboli-
ton Of the oath OF allegiance, did not
disclose any change in the Irish lead
er's adamant attitude, delayed the de-
par,ure of Premier Ramsay MacDon-
aid and Sir John Simon to Paris for
the negotiations with Premier Herriot
preparatory to the Lausanne and
Geneva conferences. Both are meet
ing the French premier over the week
end.
A more cheerful spirit prevails here
in regard to the prospects at Lausanne.
Herriot's declaration Of policy Tuesday
created a good impression, 1t indicated
a definite change OF atmosphere IN
French foreign policy, no disposition 10
seek the support of Andre Tardieu and
conciliatory attitude toward the
French Socialists. who are firm in their
insistence on disarmament and better
relations with Germany. 1t is felt here
that the more Herriot relies for support
on the Left. the more chance there is
OF favorable results both at Lausanne
and Geneva.
y
1t is gratifying also that the political
upheaval in Germany has not ratified
the new French government. Internal
" that upheaval has created an explo-
sive situation. Chancellor Franz Won
Papen obviously is moving toward an
undisguised dictatorship. Clearly ne
has no intention of being trammeled
by the Reichstag, and, equally clearly,
he contemplates dissolution OF the PruS-
sian Diet and the administration OF
Prussia by Reich commissioner. This
has aroused grave alarm in Bavaria,
which never was cordial to Prussia,
and will not tolerate its liberties being
overridden by a Prussian dictatorship.
The course of internal events in Ger
many until the Reichstag elections July
81 largely depends upon the relations
established between Gen. Kurt Won
Schleicher, Reichwehr minister. who
is the real power behind the new chan
cellor, and the Hitlerites, who are GER
tain to be the most formidable party
returned at the polls.
But the domestic confusion in Ger
many should not prejudice affairs at
Lausanne or Geneva next week. Won
Papen is likely to take a position both
on separations and disarmament prac-
tically the same as that which DR..
Heinrich Bruening would have taken;
namely, an equality status in regard to
armaments and declaration Of inabll-
ity To pay reparations On the latter
question opinion is much clarified and
Herriot, while insisting that Germany
cannot be permitted simply to disavow
her obligations, expresses readiness TO
discuss any proposals calculated to pro-
mote the stability of the world
That Germany cannot pay now ad-
mits of no dispute. and though in the
future she may be in position to pay
or six hundred million dollars over a
period Of years-the feeling everywhere
is condensing to the view that the
world can no longer afford the conse
Quences of prolongation OF the repara-
tions controversy.
As the London Spectator remarks.
both this country and France will gain
more by complete cancellation Of repair
ations now than by any deferred pay
ment that might be harvested after q
prolonged moratorium.
Influential British opinion favors
Macdonald announcing at Lausanne
that, while Germany's juridical obliga-
tions to pay still stand, her inability to
pay is recognized and that Britain in
tends to accept no further reparations
payments. 1t is also suggested that the
premier offer to remit the war debt of
any country that similarly relinauishes
rcparationS from Germany. The al
ternative is q prolonged extension Of
the moratorium, but this without final
agreement rs to q limited basis of the
settlement would still leave the prob
lem hanging like q nightmare over fu-
ture world trade.
Copyright. is52)