BACKSTAGE

Geneva, the stage of countless international productions, is at present in the condition of the theatrical platform when there is a lull between the periods of intense action. Minor plots, and threads of plots, all-essential to the main action, and yet not commonly associated with it, are now taking place. With naval problems being relegated to the rear of the stage, Foreign Commissar Litvinoff of Russia has advanced towards the footlights, and for the past week has been affording foreign correspondents not a little glamour to color their often monotonous dispatches.

A few days ago Litvinoff addressed the conference on the subject of the world's present condition. Advocating his pact for economic non-aggression, he held the attention of the entire body of delegates with an analysis of the post-warera. Reparations settlements, high tariff barriers, unprecedented unemployment, and disproportionate distribution of the world's gold supply the speaker cited as the chief reasons for our present uneasy international feelings.

Most interesting to the world audience is the friendly attitude with which this communistic representative has been received by the delegates of the capitalistic countries. According to close observers the distrust as to method and sincerity of the members of past League conferences which formerly have been so noticeable have disappeared, and expressions of friendliness towards the Soviet delegate have taken their place.

Briand's future in world affairs is attracting equal attention, while from Czechoslovakia are heard rumbling that country's hopes in the way of reaching tariff agreements with other nations. France has intimated her approval and also a willingness financially to assist in reaching customs accord. Capitalism, communism, a union between European countries, the general betterment of the world's economic and social conditions,--these are the plots of Geneva's present-day drama, while the actors are a group of men whose international cordiality is perhaps the most unusual factor in the cosmos.