Evening star., 1934-01-28
Britain More Hopeful
For Disarmament
BY A. G. GARDINER.

LONDON, January 27.AThe new ses-
sion of the Council of the League Of
Nations at Geneva brings Europe to
close grips with the vast problems which
the Christmas season held in suspense,
but which now must be brought to a
decision
Into the midst Of these problems the
declaration Of President Roosevelt S
financial policy has introduced per-
picking issue which disturbs the domes-
tic affairs of every country. with ques-
tions of economic adjustment that can
only be settled when the effects of that
these questions which really disturb our
slumber. Economic and financial diff
culties and disparities can and will be
arranged, once there is a solution OF
the political turmoil that bedeyils the
European system.
What are the prospects OF that So
luton being reached? 1t is not easy to
take cheerful view of them, but this
at least may be said-they are on the
whole more favorable than when the
Council Of the League adjourned in the
Autumn. Then Germany had hurled a
thunderbolt which theatened the exist
ence both of the League and the Dis
armament Conference and italy had is
sued a semi-ofdcial ultimatum that
looked like a notice to quit Geneva al
together. 1t was the moment Of dead
low water in the affairs of Europe, and
it was excusable to think that We were
drifting back to the old balance of
power, with its competitive armaments
and inevitable war.
The outlook is not SO dispairing now.
League stock has scared visibly. The
Italian menace has been withdrawn. or
at least so substantially modified that
concern on her account has vanished
One definite conclusion seems to have
been reached in the conversations OF
Sir John Simon and Signor Mussolini-
that is, reform of the League of Nations
system is to be postponed until some de-
cision has been reached on the subject
OF disarmament. This is common sense.
You cannot swap horses while crossing
a stream and you cannot overhaul your
machinery in the midst of a crisis.
Il 4
It Is possible, too. that the very fluid
mind of the italian dictator has been
affected by President Roosevelt's cordial
words about cooperating with the
League and by the significant change
of tone in Russia in regard to collab-
Grating with the League. The fact
that this change Of tone follows on the
German withdrawal from the League
and the ugly turn of events in the Far
East does not lessen its value so far as
the interests of the League are con-
cerned.
Yes, decidedly the outlook Of the
League has improved. It is true that
Germany persists In her policy of de-
tachment from Geneva. but her separa-
ton is q tactical move rather than a
fundamental and final breach, and.
given q solution Of the disarmament
problem, her return to the League
might reasonably be expected.
The key to the problem is. Of course,
still the Franco German question,
and in this connection it may be said
that the situation is better rather than
worse. The exchange Of proposals be-
tween Berlin and Paris has not brought
an accommodation much nearer, but it
has improved the atmosphere by the
excellent temper and courtesy shown
on both sides and by the frankness
with which crucial questions like that
o. the air are discussed On the face
Of 1t, Frances proposal to demolish
half Of the French air force is a sub
stantial gesture. but Herr Hitler may
be excused for looking very searchingly
at the conditions accompanying the
offer Nevertheless, If he and his
friends really care about anything ex-
cept the rearmament of Germany,
there Is reasonable ground to believe
that an accommodation might be
reached In these circumstances, 1t Is
not extravagant to entertain a modest
hope that the coming resumption of
the Disarmament Conference win be
less fruitless than seemed probable q
month or two ago. Much depends
upon the initiative Of Great Britain,
supported by Italy. 1t Is plain that
the October Plan with its period tSs oi
excuse to leave the Leagues dead.
It was lamentahle surrender to
French fears and I hope it will be
buried and forgotten and that the con-
ference will go back to the earlier
British plan-which Germany was at
one time willing to accept-and make
1t the basis Of Q new and far-reachtng
scheme Of disarmament.
(COpyriRht. l934.)