News of the Week
THE promulgation of the French disarmament plan will be by far the most important development in the disarmament field since the Hoover Plan was launched at Geneva in June. It is arousing an almost violent interest in France itself, and whether or not it appears to contain features that seem at first sight unacceptable, it will be a profound misfortune if it does not secure a serious and unprejudiced examination at Geneva. Forecasts of the plan suggest that it is to be progres- sive in operation, involving ultimately, though not imme- diately, the creation of some sort of international force, the international control of aviation, the " deposit " at certain fixed centres of aggressive weapons of particular types, and a general understanding that no claim of neutral rights shall be put forward to shelter trade with a State convicted of violating the Kellogg Pact. (Mr. Stimson's fresh declaration on Wednesday on the " duty of consultation " resting on signatories of the Pact in the event of a threatened breach of it is significant). In addi- tion regional guaranteed pacts in different regions of Europe are postulated. There is a good deal here that may need modification and amendment, but nothing that cannot be seriously discussed. But a prior understanding with Germany, calculated to bring her back to the con- ference table, is as essential as ever.
