Mr . Eden's Pilgrimage It was suggested here a week
ago that all Mr. Eden had to do in Paris, Berlin and Rome could be done in a fortnight. There is every indication that it will be. The Lord Privy Seal began his conversations with the French ministers in Paris last Saturday and moved on to Berlin on Monday. After going on to Rome and returning by way of Paris he is likely to be in London again before the end of next week. To make any estimate of the result of the conversations so far would be entirely premature. The general impression is that the Paris talks yielded little, but the German rather more than was expected. Mr. Eden's mission—which to all appearance he is discharging with great ability—is of even greater delicacy than has been fully appreciated. The sympathy of this country with France is great, but if Herr Hitler is at all alive to his opportunity he can, by accepting the latest British draft in principle, line British pUblie opinion up with him against French hesitations and reluctance. But when all is done the real sticking-point may be found to be neither in Berlin nor in Paris, but in London. If, as is perfectly possible, Germany accepts the British draft in its main lines and France accepts conditionally on some firmer pledge regarding security, the success or failure of the Disarmament Conference may rest on a decision here.
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