Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-19
Europe Concerned About
Disarmament Situation
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, NONCklDCI 10 AAC GbaAO
pean stage is alive with alarums and
excursions all having their bearing on
the great drama of disarmament. Since
the withdrawal of Germany threw the
whole problem into the melting pot,
everything has been In confusion and
the fear of a complete breakdown is
general.
The chief difficulties have been the
unreadiness of the new French govern
ment and Signor Mussolini'S objection
to going on with the business IN Ger
many's absence. The fall of the Dalai
der ministry added seriously to the
completely of an already chaotic Situa-
ton, for it strengthened the antagonism
of the reactionery elements in the
French press to the more moderate tenn
per which had throughout this year
characterized French policy.
/ Nor is the Italian attitude entirely
promising. No one doubts Mussolini's
desire to keep in step with Britain and
France, but he is equally anxious to
placate Germany, and rs the author OF
the four-power pact he would prefer to
work through that instrument rather
than through the League Of Nations, Of
which his support always has been
little frigid, or through the Disarma-
ment Conference, which is the leagues
offspring. In view Of all this, Gen.
Goering's recent visit to Rome was sig
niflcant, for Germany quite frankly ad-
vocates a new medium of negotiation,
on the ground that the League and the
Conference are instruments of the allies
and still retain the mentality OF war.
* X
A further cause of disquiet has been
the absence Of Norman Davis from the
meetings of the Bureau of the Disarm-
ament Conference at Geneva. His re-
turn to America was in many quarters
taken to indicate an intention on the
part CT Washington to drop out of Euro
pean affairs but the official denial of
this and the intimation that Mr.. Davis
would return when he was wanted has
removed fear on this ground. It Is
pointed out that America has always
refused resolutely to be mixed up in dis
Dutes about the application Of the treaty
of Versailles and. though 1t Is difficult
problem of disarmament, there is no
reason to doubt President RoOsevelt's
profound interest in the major issue.
The most hopeful note as to the fu-
ure Is struck by Arthur Henderson, who,
on the eve of his return to Geneva for
the meetings OF the bureau, emphasized
the fact that no nation has proposed to
close the conference and committed
himself to the prediction that essential
decisions would be taken before this
year is out. He admitted that it is a
race against time. If a convention is
not achieved swiftly 1t will be too late,
for new race OF ornaments has al
ready begun. 1t has not yet gathered
such momentum as TO be past restraint,
but action is urgent now or the con-
hagration will be out of hand.
whether the brake can be applied
depends on the course of events In the
next few weeks. The bureau Is now sitting
to revise the British draft convention in
the light of the discussions, public and
private, that have been carried on since
1t was first presented The problem in
naked terms is this: Are the armed pow
ers serious when they talk Of equality
with Germany and have they any real
intention Of disarming down to her
level?
If these questions can be answered in
the affirmative, there is real ground for
Mr.. Henderson's confidence that before
Christmas the shadows over Europe may
be lifted. There Is the possibility Of an
agreement which, by reducing the So
called period Of probation, or abolishing
it altogether by providing for some
actual disarmament immediately. might
bring Germany back into the circle of
discussion again. For, in spite of the
bellicose talk In Germany, Herr HitlCV
still proclaims Germany'S peaceful in
tentions. If those declarations mean
anything they must mean that Germany
Is still prepared by one means or an
other to accept a disarmament scheme
which can be reconciled with the chan
cellor's own five-year- period proposal
If last May
The danger Of the situation Is that
events during the last few months in
Germany have revived the susnicions
which had been cooling down under the
more moderate temper Of France But
an act Of faith Is necessary, and Brit
ain, France and Italy together, with
America in cordial cooperation, should
be strong enough to risk such an act
and to make a gesture to Germany
which cannot be refused.
One fact alone Is BY universal consent |
common to all the principals engaged |
In this great drama. They none Of them