Evening star., 1933-06-11
Britain More Cheerful
On the Eve of Parley
BY A. G. GARnINER.

LONDON, June 10.--1n the midst az
q heat wave Of unusual intensity, Loff-
don Is filling UP with an unprece-
dented invasion Of distinguished visi-
tors from more than so foreign lands
in preparation for the World Economic
Conference, which King George win
open with broadcast speech on Nom
day
The omens Of the conference are
mixed, but on the whole favorable.
A more cheerful feeling prevails here
than has been the case for q long
time past. The main factor IN this Is
the remarkable decline In unemploy.
ment and definite evidences Of in-
provement in trade.
The figure Of the unemployed in
Great Britain has fallen TO around
$500. 900. the lowest level IN three
years. and indications point to COM
tinuance Of the. upward curve Of en-
ployment. This is regarded as symp-
tom that the world depression Is pass.
ing and creates hopeful atmosphere
for the Inauguration Of the Economic
Conference.
Moreover, the general European OUT
look is more cheerful. The alarm
caused by the early phases OF the Hit
Ter regime in Germany, which threat
ened the disruption Of the Disarma-
ment Conference, has been substan-
tally modified. Germany Is now In
full communion with the other powers,
and though the Disarmament. Confer
ence failed to reach final decisions be.
fore the opening Of the London con-
ference, the prospects OF ultimate
agreement on the British plan are
eminently satisfactory.
r. ~
In this connection the influence Of
Premier Mussolini has been most help
full, and the signature this week at
Rome Of the Horsepower pact is vel
coined as an important contribution to
Germany's adhesion to the pact is due
to personal appeal by Mussolini. to
Hitler. and the opposition Of the sec
ondary powers. which promised to de-
feat the scheme. has now been re-
moved by reassuring statement in
regard to the question Of revision Of
treaties and o disavowal OF any inten.
ton by the Big Four" to impose q
dictatorship over the rest of Europe.
As a supplement to the Locarno and
Kellogg agreements, the -Four Power
Pact commands general acceptance,
though the French reactionary press is
hostile to 1t. Some doubt Is expressed
in regard to the wisdom of specifying
10 years as the era Of peace aimed at
in the pact, on the ground that q
term of years in treaty tends to Gre
ate q disturbed political atmosphere
when the end of the term approaches
and the question Of denunciation Of
the treaty arises. These considera-
tions. however, do not imply dissat-
isfaction with the new instrument.
which, it is generally agreed, win help
to consolidate European entente.
Much, Of course, depends ON q IA.
vorable issue of the Disarmament Con-
ference. which in turn hangs mainly
on the critical question of compulsory
Investigation Of ornaments. On this
France Is inSistent. Great Britain has
gone far to meet the French condf-
lions, the United States has fully ad-
hered, Germany has given a ouaiified
assent and Italy Is expected 70 agree.
but Japan so far has not agreed and
1t is feared her stand may lead To an
difficulty.
An unfavorable omen for the con-
Ierence Is its unfortunate clash With
he war-deht problem. On THURSDAY.
.wo days after inauguration of the
barley, the debtor powers will be con-
ronted with demand for payment of
he June Is installment Of the debt
iue the United States, and the open
ng sessions Of the conference viii be
'vershadowed by that fact
1copyrisht, 1933.)