Evening star., 1933-04-09
WORLD CONFEREES.
AN 'ALL-STAR CAST.
Roosevelt Conversations to-
Center International
Politics Here.
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

With the arrival of the leading states
men from the four corners of the world
Washington will become the center of
international politics and will assume
an importance similar only to that of
Paris during the reign Of Napoleon III
Ramsay Macdonald and Edouard
Herriot. the two veterans who have been
fighting for peace in the world for the
last decade, have already signified their
intention to come over within the next
two weeks. Mussolini, the other i'm
portant leader in world politics, has not
announced yet whether he will Join
Macdonald and Herriot, but 1t is be-
Eeyed in official circles that he may be
able to take the necessary time to come
to Washington and meet President
Roosevelt.
Six other nations will participate in
the momentous Washington conversa-
tions, either through their respective
Ministers and Ambassadors or by send
ing over highly placed officials.
From President Roosevelt's invitation
to the British premier it is evident that
the conversations will not deal exclu-
slvely with economics. The President
indicated clearly that he wished to dis
cusS with Mr.. Macdonald matters in
connection with the disarmament oues-
ton, and when disarmament is mem
TONED In the present complex situation
OF the world, 1t Is natural that he will
have to discuss everything else which
mas so far slowed down the Geneva con-
ference.
Arms ParIeys Failed.
The disarmament paAeys have failed
until now because nobody has found vet
a solution to the political problems
wnicn create suspicion, fear and conse-
quently reluctance to approach the dis
alhament tneslS with genuine desire
10 get somewhere. Everybody wants his
nelghbor to disarm lest he NAV become
strong enough to attack. As Ionc as
this spirit Is permitted to exist there IL
little that can be done to make the
Geneva conference q success. And as
long as the political problems conpel
nations fully armed to look upon each
otner with suspicion. there is but lit
Tie chance for the economic conferences
10 yield the results the President and
his Secretary Of State hope for.
IL Is true that the high-tarif barriers
ana the quotas and import restrictions
nave brought about situation which has
ieo 70 the present tension in Europe. But
tnat tension exists today and, accord
ing to observers who are watching de.
veiopments, 1t is too late to do any-
tning merely by telling the interested
natlons, Lets sit down together and
oreak down our tariff walls" The stu
atlon is too far gone for that How.
ever anxious the leaders of the nations
may be to restore normal trade. It will
take long time to obtain positive re-
SUITS, 1t Is said, from the International
economic Conference. The leaders. re-
ai1zlng the precipice they are heading
Ior, may be willing to come to q COM
promise, but they must take into con-
sloeration public opinion In their re.
spective countries and that public opin.
Ion has been poisoned with fear of their
nelghbor for too long a time to accent
such simple, yet sane, solution Of the
An "All-Star Cast"
This the President realizes fully. II
is In order to impress the public. which
VIII be watching anxiously the develop-
ments In Washington, that he has In
vlted an "all-Star cast" to come TO
the Capital of the United States-still
the richest and most powerful country
in the world-to discuss the WAYS and
means for averting a catastrophe. n
The work during these conferences
VIII be divided in two; the President
himself will discuss with his guests the
general situation and will leave to Sec
retary Cordell Hull, who has made
tariffs and questions connected with
them his lifelong study, the task of
discussing economic matters.
In spite Of the great strain Of these
weeks when Mr.. Roosevelt has been
confronted with momentous domestic
problems. he has had time to get thor
ougnly familiar with the acute inter-
national political situation
Disarmament Is necessary. he real-