News of the Week
THE French elections may, by the change they effect -11-. in the ruling colour in the Chamber, ultimately make things. easier at Geneva, but they have brought the work of the Disarmament Conference almost to a stand- still for the moment. That is inevitable, for the new Ministry cannot enter effectively on its functions till after the Chamber has met on June 1st, and France occupies so much a key position in the disarmament discussions that it would be folly to attempt to settle any Major issue in her abience or virtual absence. There is nothing for it, therefore, but to mark time. If M. Herriot proves rather more pliant than M. Tardieu was there will be full com- pensation for the short delay. The Sino-Japanese dis- cussions also are temporarily in abeyance, but the news of the beginning of the Japanese withdrawal at Shanghai is satisfactory. As to Manchuria, Japan is finding the situation increasingly difficult to cope with, and has sent another division there to deal with bandits. When the Lytton Commission reports the League may have to face politicallisues as difficult as any that have occupied it at any stage of the controversy so far.
