Evening star., 1933-03-21
FRENCH ATTITUDE
EASES SITUATION
Acceptance of Macdonald
MusS0lini Peace Plan
Cheers Washington.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

Political and diplomatic quarters In
Washington were relieved today when
it became known that the French
premier Edouard Daladier. had not
turned down the Mussolini-MacDonal
peace plan.
While nobody expects seriously that
this particular plan will yield any posi-
tive results, II Is hoped that with the
arrival of Ambassador Davis in Europe
next week the general outlook may i'm
prove.
For the time being the limitation Of
arms conference has been left in the
background. BY common consent Of
all the participants, 1t has been decided
to avoid discussing any important issue
at the present time. Europe realizes
fully that as long as the political ques-
tions which have brought about the
be useless to proceed discussing figures
and ratios of armies and navies.
But even the political conference pro-
posed by Mussolini has at present but
scant chances Of success.
Agreed to Study, Treaty.
Mussolni and Macdonald have agreed
in principle to discuss the revision OF
the Versailles treaty. which Is consid
cred the principal obstacle to peace in
Europe
The French are reported not to op-
pose such a discussion, since the Ques-
ton of Alsace-Lorraine and other terri
tories acquired by France under that
tteaty are not likely to be broughtSup.
But they do not see how they can make
any decision on the Polish Corridor, Tor
instance, which Is considered by the
British and the Italians as the chief
reason for the present tense situation
between Poland and Germany.
The French cannot take upon them
selves they say. responsibility for fore
ing Poland to give up a territory which
has been given them by the common
consent Of all the powers which have
signed the Versailles Treaty. II Is up
to Poland to decide whether she wants
to abandon that strip Of land which
forms an unnatural barrier between
East Prussia and Germany.
Prepared to Fight.
As far as it Is known SO far. the
Polish government has not the slightest
intention of giving up the corridor and
the French say that from the commu-
nications they have received from War
saw. the Poles are prepared to Tight
single handed, II necessary, for the
corridor.
The other allies of France, Yugoslavia
and Rumania, are believed TO be in
the same frame Of mind regarding
their newly acquired territories
To attempt to solve this problem
without consulting these minor nations
would be neither Just nor likely to bring
any concrete result, the French foreign
office says.
.. ~
Is of the opinion that the four-power
conference suggested by Mussolini and
accepted by Macdonald should be ex-
tended to a seven or more powers con-
ference bringing In any nation that
has claims under the Versailles treaty
Against Large PsrleyA
For the time being the whole thing
is still in an embryonic state and no
decision Is likely to be taken in haste
But it Is known that neither Macdonald
nor II Duce favor these large confer
ences because thev have proved in the
past complete failures.
With the arrival Of Mr.. Davis In
Europe. the leaders Of the European ma
tions expect that the whole matter may
assume a different aspect 1t is believed
In Europe that Mr. Davis has from
President Roosevelt come definite plan
which may prove 50 constructive as to
ease the entire international situation.
Whether this will be the case or not
remains to be seen. So far the Presi-
dent has been very cautious about
Americas foreign policies and it Is be-
lieved that he will not take any spec
tacular plunge in the field Of interna-
tional politics without first being GER
tain Of success.