There is, moreover, one new factor which may modify the
situation substantially. M. Litvinoff's recent move- ments have inspired a good deal of undependable rumour, but it is safe to assume that Russia is more disposed to collaborate with the League of Nations and give practical help to the Disarmament Conference. than ever before. If M. Litvinoff does intend, as report has it, to propose a new security pact based on M. Paul-Boncour's project— with its three groups of States with varying degrees of responsibility, a Kellogg Pact group, a League group and a Continental European group; the4aSt-named linked by binding pledges of mutual assistancethen some of France's apprehensions about security may well be assuaged, and concessions by Paris in the matter of dis- armament be found possible. Such a scheme should ,be entirely satisfactory to this country, for it would buttreSs the collective system without imposing new responsibili- ties on us. But to work it out would take time, for the question of Russia's entry into the League is involved in it, and that may raise such side-issues as a claim to Ta. permanent Council seat by Poland. But it looks as though the Russian scheme were ripe for discussion. In that case the Disarmament Conference is more likely to adjourn than to expire, and the two will not necessarily mean the same thing.
