POLITICAL SIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 97, 27 April 1933, Page 7

POLITICAL SIDE.

WASHINGTON PARLEYS

Economics Temporarily in

Background.

FRANCE AND SECURITY.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright)

(Received 10 a.m.)

WASHINGTON, April 26,

Economic questions temporarily retreated into the background yesterday, political ones taking their place in the White House conversations.

It was stated last night that the French now hold the key position as concerns the tentative understandings reached in the past few days. The question of French security was the hub of the situation. Although the French delegates denied that there was any truth in the alleged pact with Poland not to agree to a revision of treaties, it is known that the special position of Franco in the discussions and in all the possible approaches to an agreement here, is that of national security. There is hope that some method has been found of reconciling France's position with that of Britain and the United States. It seems to be indicated that one of two things has happened, namely, that either Mr. Mac Donald's draft of a consultative pact, announced on March 16, has been made acceptable to the French for various domestic reasons, or that it has been modified in some way by Mr. Roosevelt to meet French desires. Possibly this has been done by a mild form of security agreement which would take the shape of embargo on "any" nation which attacks France. France and Economic Pressure. It is argued that the natural economic pressure from the accumulated effects o£ the world depression is doing more than all the statesmen in the world have been able to do to make France co-operate in political matters. The French delegates, it is said, are now asking how far can Mr. Roosevelt go toward assuring the acceptance by Congress of any form of security agreement. Mr. Mac Donald, M. Herriot and Mr. Roosevelt dined informally at White House last evening, and after further conversations received members of the Foreign Relations Committees of both Houses of Congress. ■It is understood that M. Herriot explained the practical impossibility of France agreeing to general disarmament without some adequate system- of control. To the American objections that such control should be undertaken by the League of Nations it is reported that M. Herriot pointed out that under the present procedure a negative vote of a member suspected of secretly accumulating arms could stop any investigation. .' • Road to Disarmament. Mr. Roosevelt is prepared for a continuance of his talks with ~M. Herriot, and there' is a growing possibility that the road; to disarmament' may be smoothed by an anti-war ' consultative pact in which the United States would join. ■ ' . The political correspondent of the "New York Times" says: Whether Mr. Roosevelt's ideas or those of Mr. MacDonald have predominated in the recent discussions cannot be learned, but it is probable that both had definite parts in shaping a policy which they felt France would accept.

Whilo tho British delegates are not quite as buoyantly optimistic as they were on Tuesday, they give every indication of being satisfied with the way things are going.

■War debts were discussed yesterday, but it was said that no nation would prejudice the many other important issues merely for the debt question. That a basis for debt settlement, however, is being sought seemed to be implied in spite-of the reticence of those who know what occurred around the conference tables.

Dr. Schacht, president of the Reichsbank, will represent Germany at Washington. He is; due at New York on May 5, and it is believed he will specially stress the need for a readjustment of Germany's .foreign indebtedness. '

DATE OF CONFERENCE.

REPORTED OPENING JUNE 12

(Received 2 p.m.)

WASHINGTON, April 26,

It was agreed yesterday by Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Roosevelt and M. Herriot that June 12 shall be the opening date of the World Economic Conference in London.

This' decision is interpreted as indicating the achievement of some substantial progress in the conversations among the, leaders of the three nations.

The organising committee of the conference will meet on Saturday under the chairmanship of the British Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, representatives of France, Germany, Italy, the United States, Belgium, Japan aud Norway will attend. • Invitations to participate will be sent to CO Powers.

Mr. Norman America's special delegate to Europe, will leave Geneva for London in time to attend Saturday's meeting of the organising committee;