New-York tribune., 1921-04-17

effected. He believes that the real
solution is some form of federation, but
that the creation of a new political
balance Of power must come first.
Holding that view he concludes that
mere relief work on the part of out
side nations, especially America, has
a very limited value These new ma
tions value political support more than
they do either loans or charity.
The League of Nations, Mr.. Mowrer
thinks, has failed to live up to expec-
tations as stabilizing agency
"Balkanized Europe" expects other
wars and is feverishly preparing for
them. 1t feels that the great powers
which control the league council will
never use the league except as means
of promoting their own national in.
terests. The minor European nations
are consequently arming and nego-
tiating for self-protection. The forma-
tion of the Little Entente is the first
striking evidence Of their realization
that the league is only make believe
is
incompetent either to prevent wars
or to guarantee boundaries.
The "Balkanized" states, and the other
states as we'll, are therefore working
back toward the old safeguards of
balanced political and military power.
The author finds the people of Po-
land, Czecho-S -Slovakis, Jugo-Slavia.
Rumania, Hungary, Bulgaria and
Greece not exhausted and fearful Of
the future. but virile, aggressive, hope
full and determined to make their own
way. 1t is mistake, he says, to con-
slider any of them as still needy or
disease stricken. The food shortage
and sanitation crises are over. Mr..
Mowrer praises the work of the
American relief organizations But
he discounts their political judgments.
I Their ideas of what the natives need
baths, disinfection, freedom from
epidemics-are far apart from the
natives own ideas of what they need.
All these new states crave power, ter
ritory and prestige. They keep
wary eye on their neighbors, who fall
into two classes-either natural
enemies or potential allies
Either within or without the League
of Nations, Mr.. Mowrer therefore
argues, Europe will again divide into
rival national groups, one ofFsetting
the other. He expects to see Great
Britain and France drift apart. France
aims at an alliance with the Slav
states, and with possible Danube con-
federation. Great Britain and Italy
are anti-Slav. So is Japan. Here is
the obvious basis for. two new con-
stellations of world powers.
The author thinks that the natural
association Of the United States would
be with France and the Slav states
But he hopes that Great Britain and
America may be able to preserve a
freedom of action which wills enable
them to act together In any crisis to
prevent another world war;, This
Anglo-American concert would be more
than ever essential in case Germany
Joined with Japan, Italy, Hungary,
| Rumania and Greece.
Mr.. Mowers book has the merit of
treating the problems of "Balkanized
Europe" unconventionally and cour-
ageously. It's frst-hand knowledge and
obiectivity of view are refreshing. 1t
may be somewhat pessimistic in tone.
But the aftermath of the great war
has made Europe realistic and cynical.
1t is we'll to give serious attention ia
the theory that the Versailles Treaty
didn't write fnis on an era of nation
alistic ambition and struggle. Apparent
ly it merely recast the old factors
for new struggle, which, like the one
just ended, may spread from Europe
over the world.