The Disarmament Outlook The conversations between Sir John Simon and
Signor Mussolini are in progress as we go to press. In any: case clarification rather than conclusions is to be expected from them, particularly as to what Italy's considered intentions regarding the reform of-the League of Nations are. A more immediately important move in the field of disarmament is the delivery to the German Foreign Secretary of an aide-memoire embodying France's latest views and proposals. If the document is as conciliatory as Paris messages suggest, further conversations, official or unofficial, may still bear sonic fruit, for some beginnings of bridges arc being thrown out from both sides of the gulf. But the real crux is German rearmament. That Germany will claim the right to rearm in the name of equality if the refusal of other nations to disarm gives her the opportunity goes without saying. Whether she_will,seize the oppo- rtunitY in any case is still uncertain, Inr_ accepting control for irregular forces .which she declares to be political and non-military she has gone some way to meet French requirements, and the proposed ipacts of non-aggression might possibly be so shaped as to create confidence on her eastern frontier. But unless France in return for this will drop anything that could be interpreted as a "period of probation" the P' pects of agreement are nil. That point however is met if the report that France would begin reducing her Air Force without delay is well founded. Doors seem to be still open—and -that, after all, is the vital thing.
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