Evening star., 1921-12-25
BY OLIVER OWEN KUHN.

CORELY tried by the evil condi-
tions prevailing in the economic
j and social life of Europe. and
realizing that the policy of
temporizing further cannot but react
to the disinterest of all powers on the
o.a.inAnt. the movement toward quick
dispatch of troublesome issues is
gathering impetus.
Statesmen. feeling the pressure of
their home peoples, are beginning to
awaken more than ever to the re-
sponsibilities that face them. De-
mands there are that the various
sores in the political as we'll as eco
nomic life be curated at the earliest
possible moment. Peoples Of France,
England, Italy and other continental
countries are insistently demanding
that there be less preachment and
more performance, the abandonment
of dilatoriness for direct action,
united endeavor and union of pur-
pose. Financial interests in every
land have been wailing for relief from
the conditions which have brought in
creasing burdens. ones which have
tangled the skeins of progress and
placed them in a maze of uncertainty,
if not amidst downright reaction.
X X x X
Europe cannot prosper. much less
progress. with uncertainty, anxiety
and suspense prevailing. The atmo-
sphere must be cleared and the men
through whom the wishes of the peo-
Pile are reflected must act expedl-
tiously in order that there may not
be greater chaos than at the present
moment
Enropean NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. at
1east-have been for more than two
years skating upon thin ice. States
men of various countries have given
greater evidence of being able to cut
fancy. graceful. political didoes for
nationalistic purposes than they have
of taking long, graceful, powerful
strokes that would carry them and
their peoples to safety. Those things
that have been necessary for purpose
full accomplishment and the well being
of the peoples of the continent at
large have been left rotting.
There is no question but that the
approaching session of the supreme
council at Cannes, in January. will be
one of the most momentouS gather
ings of allied statesmen since the
treaty of Versailles was. signed, pro-
vided, however. there is not lapse
of purpose; provided the same spirit
that prevails today prevails then.
The conference of Premiers Lloyd
GeOfEe anu III LOHuOH HdS
done much to clear the atmosphere.
remove misunderstanding purported
to exist between their respective ma
tional policies and pave the way for
concerted action at Cannes. when
questions will be brought forward
successful solution of which will go
far in righting conditions which are
crying for relief. Unquestionably the
German reparation question will be
the first approached and acted upon,
for 1t is upon reparations that at
least two nations-France and Bel
gium-count upon for the equaliZa-
ton of their present unfavorable
financial condition.
The reparations question cannot be
lodged, but there is every indlca-
tion that the question will be broach-
ed and handled in the spirit of broad
fair r-mindedness and with engaging
frankness. for by this only can re-
suits be achieved. The French view
point is rapidly veering toward the
conclusion. long since reached in
other quarters. that Germany must
be assisted to her feet financially if
France and the remainder of the
world are to be saved from finan-
cial chaos. There are tens of mil
lions of people in central Europe
including Austria and Hungary, who
today are idling and suffering for the
lack of easier credit conditions and
greater leniency in the enforcement
of the dictates of wars victors.
The allies themselves are more and
more beginning to realize that 1t
behooves them to aid the return OF
normalcy in the vanquished coun-
tries in order that the laborS of the