Evening star., 1932-03-06
BY FRANK III. SIMONDS.

~ ENEVA.-The title of one O
Pirandello's plays, six Char
U acterS in Search of an Author,
~ suggests an accurate name
for this Disarmament Confer
ence. AS it approaches the period Of the
Easter recess, it presents the striking
spectacle of "a nations in search OF q
formula. In reality all unsuccessful
conferences have three stages: First
agreement in principle, when all ma
tional representatives unite in a COM
petition of eloquence to 1ndorse virtue
and rebuke sin. Second comes disagree
ment in fact. where the same represent
atives urge their irreconcilable national
theses up to the point of complete
deadlock. Finally there is the frantic
search for some broad meaningless
formula which will conceal the unpleas-
ant truth behind a facade of optimistic
declarations To that point We have
now come.
Between the French theory of security
and the prime German ideal of equality
''ueber allies" there is no basis of recon-
ciliation. The same Is true in the case
of the French and Italian dispute as
to naval parity. An effective agree
ment could only come in the first case
If the French nation agreed to disarm
to the Italian level on the sea, and If
both Germans and Italians agreed to
the Tardieu proposal for a league
equipped to prevent or punish aggres-
sion. Both are obviously out of the
question.
Here Is where the formula maneuver
comes in. Already industrious souls are
at work, striving to hit upon some
method whereby France can concede
to Germany the theoretical right of
equality, while Germans agree not to
exercise this right. This leaves the
actual situation as to armed forces un-
modified but it constitutes a sop to
German pride without really modifying
French security. There also is similar
formula going the rounds adapted to
the Franco italian situation.
The present chance of any agreement
even upon such tenuous contract is
slight, but, on the other hand, even a
semblance of achievement hangs upon
them What it comes down to is that
in the present state of mind and dur
ing the political chaos of the continent
any real progress toward disarmament
remains out of the question. Practical
1y, it will remain out Of the question
until the situation in Germany Is
cleared up and the Hitler menace is
exercised, If that proves possible. Until
that time France will not materially
modify her military forces or assent
to any actual modification of restric-
tions upon German arms as contained
in the treaties which ostensibly ended
the great war.
The Geneva Conference is, therefore,
permanently restrained within the
framework of these political facts. On
the other hand. it Is fairly clear that
neither the French nor the Italians, let
alone the Germans, are eager to force
a battle here which could only render
more difficult the general economic sit
uation in Europe. The hope of doing
something at Lausanne exercises con-
siderable influence at this point. I'VE
cannot disarm, but let us discuss
amicably and disperse peacefully" /"
That is the present temper, although
from day to day the tacit truce may
be broken because of domestic political
considerations
Each Nation Isolated.
France and her allies, Tardieu and
his friends, are seated in strategic posts
to dominate the conference at least
negatively, so that nothing shall hap
pen against their will. While Germany
and Italy are nominally working In CO.
operation, in practice Nadolny and
Grandi are similarly isolated. Neither
the British nor the Americans have so
far disclosed the smallest force or in
fuence. In fact, the case appears clear