Evening star., 1938-11-20
Paris isConferente Seen
Forerunner Of Peace
In Europe "
French and British Are
Expected to Map Plans
To Give Dictutors
Nv H, J.. ]. SARGENT,

BY H. J. j. SARGENT.
LONDON. Nov. 19-Are We 60
ing to see a general European set
tlement take shape in the near fu-
ture? Is the pledge contained in
the Munich protocol about to be
implemented? These questions sug-
gest themselves by the visit to Paris
Of Premier Chamberlain and For
eign Secretary Lord Halifax next
week.
When the British and French
statesmen meet next Wednesday
they will, it is anticipated, 60 over
the ground which later it is hoped
they will discuss with Hitler and
Mussolini at the four-power meet
ing of which this Paris visit is the
forerunner.
There is no doubt that new
orientation is gradually developing
on the European continent. The set
tlement of the Czechoslovak crisis
along lines demanded by Germany
and the Munich agreement itself
we're clearly turning points in Eng
lands European policy. An even
more striking turning point has
been the end Of the close French
alliance with Czechoslovakia.
Change Going on in Paris.
To those who have been follow
ing the policy of the many French
governments which have succeed
ed each other since the end of the
Great War, 20 years ago, 1t has
been clear for some time that q
change is @ing on in Paris, a
change of mind II not a change Of
heart toward Germany. There is a
tendency to consider closer rela-
tions between Berlin and Paris,
and these sentiments are receiving
and have been receiving for some
time past no Encouragement from
Whitehall. 1t is not unreasonable
to anticipate that some discussion
on a rapprochement with Berlin
may take place in Paris during the
British statesmen's visit.
It is interesting to consider the
exact subjects the British and
French ministers will discuss be-
fore embarking upon wider con-
sultation with the Germans and
the Italians. For some time past
the controlled newspapers OF Ger
many and Italy have been hammer
ing away at the subject of the re-
armament OF France and Britain
but especially Of Britain. and day
after day they have been ques-
tioning the action of Premier
chamberlain in insisting upon Brit
ish preparedness when. they say
Chamberlain was one of the corner
stones of what they are pleased to
call the peace of Munich"
Can Answer Charges.
Chamberlain and Daladier will
have no dif1iculty in answering these
charges, assuming Hitler and Muso-
lini propose bringing them forward
oficially. by pointing out that the
stabilization of power, that is to say,
Of warlike electives. in its present
ratio Is altogether out OF the ques-
ton md that Britain would be
definitely failing in her duty to her
people If she did not prosecute her
armament plans until they chose to
disarm. With certain small vari-
atoms, the same argument would mt
French conditions.
A point which people frequently
forget Is that. as far back as 1882,
during the interminable course OF
the disarmament conferences held
In those days, Germany demanded
equality of status with the other
great European powers. In princi-
ple. that demand was never denied
her. In principle, therefore, no one
could reasonably deny to Britain
and France an equality of power
today.
This writer holds the opinion
that, in certain circumstances. Ger
many would not be sorry to bring
her present armament race to an end.
Those circumstances are mixed W
with all kinds of considerations.
prestige for one thing. the influence
Of the army for another, and, most
certainly. the pressure of the leaders
Of heavy industry, Krupps for In
stance, who, whatever may be said
IUI opOoh "AeAA
a dominating voice in the councils
Of the German nation.
New Fields for Workers.
It Is said that cutting down OF
rearmament would create wide
spread unemployment in Germany,
where the total absence Of unem-
ployment today is to a great extent
due to the gun and shell factories.
To this the reply would obviously be
that the great commercial and in
dustrial push undertaken by Ger
many In Southeastern and Southern
Europe, in Czechoslovakia, in Ru-
mania. in Hungary and in Turkey,
would more than balance the reduc-
ton In employment through the
closing Of armament factories and
would in addition bring wealth to
the country where at present enor-
NOUS sacrifices are being made in
order to produce this fantastic ac-
cumulation Of war material.
It may be taken for granted that,
In any four-power conference that
may follow the Paris meeting, the
principle of equality of strength will
Be insisted upon by England and