Evening star., 1932-02-07

TardleuS PROJECT IA No &
was officially sub 3al - r.
mitted to the con- sss&s Sss8
ference its Obltu- %*& W. M$&#
ary was being
written in many F. w, VILE.
languages. While
the French insist their delegation has
taken the initiative with positive con-
tribution to the work Of the confer
-nce," other explanations of Tardieu's
motives are rampant.
In the first place, no matter what
the plans merits or prospects may be
France Spectacularly grabbed the open
ing limelight at the conference and
concentrated the attention of SO other
delegations upon herself In various
conference circles, especially British,
German and Italian. criticism of Tar
deus ethics is audible men saying
he should have waited prOnouncement
in speech before the conference.
Tardieu Steals March.
But when it was decided Sir John
Simon, British foreign secretary, should
be given right of way, Tardieu deter
mined to steal march and spill the
beans through the press. Thus to
the CONSERVATION of the conference and
confusion of British. Germans and
Italians, Tardieu mounted the rCStrum
Friday the deSult0ry conference Ses-
sion handed President Henderson the
full French proposal A couple Of hours
later Tardieu, the center Of an excited
group of 200 newspaper correspondents
from all parts of the globe, had ready
French and English versions OF his pro-
gram. both in detail and in handy sum-
mary for use OF newspaper men who
wanted to flash it around the earth in
stantly
Tardieu was brilliant journalist be-
fore he became power in French
politics.
The French plan leaves a loophOle
for non-members of the Leakue like the
United States and Russia to organize
themselves into a cooperating body for
participating in activities of the inter-
national police force 50 far as the
United States is concerned there is
much skepticism in Geneva as to how
the American people. especially the
Senate, would view such a proposition.
The consensus is the Senate would
not even dignity it by debate even in
the remote event the American delega-
tiCn which is inconceivable, had the
hardlhoOd to Join an agreement OF the
kind Tardieu launched. IndecorouS
comment is heard in American quarters
to the effect that the Cnly chance it
could possibly have would be an under
standing that Senator Borah command
the international army, Senator john
son the navy and Senator Moses the
air force
Another Explanation.
Yet another explanation of Tardieu's
maneuver is the suggestion he is play
ing home politics An international
air force scheme hitherto has been
more or less monopoly of the parties
of the French left wing. Men like
Boncour had at one time been its
warmest supporters.
Later the French Council Ct National
Defense, with the approval Of military
experts adopted the plan, but its most
ardent friends were found in the left
wing chamber. Tardieu. whose nation
alist sentiments ordinarily are hostile
to anything which has left espouses,
now comes forth as the responsible
parent fer the international police force
plan, but with certain knowledge it is
doomed to be shot to pieces.
Once it is laid away. the war minister
will be enabled to stand up in the
Chamber and eloquently lament that
the enterprise so dear to the hearts of
the left wing had its day in court in
Geneva only to be rejected.
Then Tardieu will take the position
that France now knows, if she didn't
know before, that her only salvation is
in her impregnab.e army.
One of Frances unofficial but omniS-
cient spokesmen of Geneva said tonight
that Tardieu is ready to offer another
plan the moment it is clear the police
force has no chance. He will propose
stabilization of existing armaments in
all countries under an international
agreement What the Germans. who
are now disarmed. will say about that
can easily be ina agined.
Lion and the Lamb"
For the first time within the memory
of this observer. the lion of militarism
and navalism lay down amicably with
the lamb CT paCifism aboard the
Geneva peace ship as the President
Harding was chriStened, coming across
the Atlantic.
AS far as can be remembered, too,
the voyage marked the earliest, if not
the only, formal recognition the organ
lied peace movement was ever ac-
corded at the United States Govern
ment'S hands.
The President Harding landed two
American delegations in Europe. One
was the official delegation cor the two
fifthS of it that was aboard which
President Hoover appointed to repre-
sent America at the conference. The
other is the Self-styled unofficial dele
CATION" of 10 or a dozen women and one
man designated to demonGtrate and
petition in the name of five American
peace groupS-the National Conference
on the Cause and Cure of War; the
WomenS International League for
Peace and Freedom; the National
Council for Prevention Of War; League
of Nations Association and Interna-
tional World Alliance for international
Friendship Through the Churches.
We had not been at sea many hours
before Senator Swanson of Virginia
chairman pro tenn of the American
delegation, decided that the unofficial
delegation" was entitled to its day in
court. Together with his associate
delegate, DR.. Mary Emma Woolley, and
their staff of diplomatic, military and
naval advisers, Senator Swanson on
January 26 listened at length to the
peace groups presentation.
Makes No Comment.
The official communique issued at
the end of the pow wow stated that
the presentation was received without
comment" But the unofficial dele
cation" emerged beaming with salts
faction. 1t submitted its recommenda-
tions, supported them with persuasive
pleas, received an attentive hearing, and
came away convinced that its Geneva
cause was propitiously launched.
The group urged in general" that