* * * * The Disarmament Talks The Five Power
conversations at Geneva have ended in an agreement which brings Germany back into the Disarmament Conference fold. To that extent they have done good work, though it is not quite clear why it could not have been done sooner, for it was in the latter part of July that Germany announced that she would participate no further in the Conference discussions till the principle of equality was conceded. It is conceded now in a rather curious formula, which includes " equality of rights in a system which would provide security for all nations," reaffirmation of the renunciation of the resort to force for national ends, and progressive reduc- tion and limitation of armaments. German equality is put on the same footing as French security, and while the formula has served its immediate purpose it has clearly postponed difficulties rather than solved them. The conversations are to be resumed in London (in spite of protests at these repeated secret conclaves), and Mr. Henderson, as President of the Conference, will take part in them, as he should certainly have been asked to do in Geneva. The so-called American plan for an immediate disarmament convention, followed by con- tinued study by a permanent commission, has dropped into the background, which is reassuring, for a convention which did no more than embody the results so far achieved would be a very dispiriting affair. As things are, some- thing may yet be accomplished in the early months of next year. * * *
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