27 FEBRUARY 1932, Page 1

France and Britain at Geneva

The British Foreign :Minister's Muni to Geneva is welcome for other reasons. The Disarmament Confer- ence has presented contrasts not altogether favourable to Great Britain in the Fast ten days. France. apart from the few days of her political crisis, has had a full and impressive delegation at the Conference. and M. Tardieu. Prime Minister though he now is, hurried back to Geneva the moment he had made his declaration of policy in the Chamber. Germany, Italy and Japan have all been Huai: adequately represented than Great Britain, whose sole delegate; during-Sir John Sitiion's teu il4ys* absence, was Lord Londonderry., Two of the British delegates, Lord Ilailaham and Sir 'ham Eyres-Monsell, have not yet visited GeneVa at all. If. therefore, the two servitx Ministers do go Out to take up the committee work they

will do that without any personal familiarity with the Conference's 'earlier deliberations and, what is quite as important, having made none of those personal contacts which do so much to ease discussion and decision. When France throws herself into the Conference with an assi- duity demonstrated by the constant presence of a highly influential delegation, and our own delegates remain for the most part in London, it is not surprising if she establishes a dominance not on every ground desirable. * * * *