Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-09
EASTERN EUROPE'S
FATE MAY DEPEND
|. ON POLISH FUTURE
Problem Is Now Developing
With Startling Rapidity
and Worries France.
HECTIC DAYS PRECEDE
COMING SPA CONFERENCE
Millerand. at British Capital, Will
Discuss Indemnity and Other
Big Questions.
ny PERTINAx.

|
tBy Cable to The Star. Copyright 1924,
/ PARIS. May 8.-With San Remo's
conference ended and with less re-
suits than had been hoped. the men
| to whom has been intrusted the re-
building of Europe after the great
and obstructed peace conference at
and constructed peace conference AT
Versailles have gathered here in
| Paris for few hectic days before the
conference at Spa begins
These days are certain to produce
grave consequences. 1t is doubtful IL
any at San Reno were more vital in
their import to the world
The question is whether the entente
cordiaie, which being translated
means the diplomatic friendship. with
difficulty saved at San Reno and per-
haps a child not too robust in health
and spirits, will survive Justify and
be stimulated into real and solid
strength. or whether. developing new
nerves and peevishness. it will sink
again into it's former status of dis
satisfaction and uncertainty and thus
promote open discord among argu-
mentative and not entirely satisfied
national representatives.
Nervous Uncertainty.
1t is only one who watches the con-
tinual play of demands, refusals. con-
cessions and compromises close at
hand. and with that training which
brings understanding. who can COM
prehend the nervous uncertainty of
all these various and innumerab1e
discussions. Is the world at peace?
Who knows? Peace. Perhaps. Yet
open discord might develop at almost
any moment. 1 do not say it will. 1
hope it will not.
Monsieur Cambon. with Monsieur
! Avenol, financial representative of
France. has just left for London in
order to prepare the way for Premier
Millerand. He will follow them next
week. knowing that during his visit to
| the British capital he will have very
weighty matters to discuss. These
problems of the victory of the allies
over the Teutonic forces and will in
volve an effort to reach some conclu-
sion as to how and when Germany
must begin her long and disagreeable
task. when she must start to pay. pay,
pay her war indemnity. This will be
one of the most important matters to
be argued. but there will be many. in
elusive indeed of every detail of the
execution Of the Versailles treaty.
i find no one willing to make posi-
tive predictions as to how this will
be settled. 1t is still too early to
predict even an outline for the
eventual understanding. but il is
hopeful circumstance that a complete
agreement has been reached with
Belgium with regard particularly to
the Luxembourg railways. That was
a vexed question, and although il was
not of paramount importance. it is a
real relief to be enabled to consider
it well out of the way.
Worried by Polish Problem.
The satisfaction with which this
may be reflected upon is not great
enough to offset the worry which
must oppress all who understand the
Polish problem. Those who are in
friends that this well may involve
the political fate of eastern Europe
and 1t is developing with startling
rapidity. having began its fermentation
with an unexpected promptitude. The
representative Of the league of nations
at Danxig is Sir Reginald Tower. an able
diplomat. who understands the situation
we'll after a long training In the British
foreign office.
He has formulated definite policy.
the details OF which have not been
made public. and for this he seeks
tho league approval. His appearance
before the council OF ambassadors was
regarded as an event Of great inn
portance. for It was known to all
that when he did appear he would
present this personally formulated
policy, at present actually In opera
tion, and request formal approval
from the supreme body. for he wishes
to enlarge it and cannot do 50 certainly
until after he has been commended and
given full authorization,
In considering this matter it must
be remembered that the authors of the
peace treaty were dliIiIHS NJ securing
for Poland Il free outlet to the Baltic
sea while at the same time safeguard ?
ing the German inhabitants of the
town of Danzig, where they are in the
ma jority.
Differing Interpretations.
In order that both objects migA
be achieved it was decided that DanZiA
should be created into free city.
But difficulty arises through the fact
that two interpretations can be made
IF articles of the peace treaty num-
oered 10l. 102, 103 and 1874: One of
these is that put forward by the Poles
and the other is that advanced by the
Germans.
The Polish contention is that
Polish influence must be paramount
n the free town of Danzig. since
Poland Is intrusted by the treaty with
of its foreign relations. and,
according to this claim. the rights Of
German citizens within the free city'a
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