Evening star., 1922-05-22
CRISIS
REPORTED GRAVER
Barnes Says Great War Ten.
dencies Negative Peace
Efforts.
BY GEORGE n. BARNES.
British Parliament Leader.

BY Wireless to The Star. Copyright, 1922
LONDON, May 20.-The European
situation never was SO grave as to-
day. I wish that / could impress my
readers with it's seriousness. Great
Britain is laboring for peace, but
great forces are operating in favor
of war
Russia and France each have huge
armies, and the very existence Of
these not only compels other armies,
but endangers the peace of the con-
tinent Russia is controlled by reck-
less men, who not only hate the ex-
listing industrial situation. but are
animated by hostile feelings againSt
neighboring governments. The Turk b
massacre without let or hindrance.
France. by her recent policy. has en-
dangered the entente. Poland. by
irresponsible filibustering, has es-
tranged public opinion. The German
Russian past hangs challenge over
distracted lands.
Fears Untoward Act.
Under these unsettled conditions,
any untoward act might again, as in
1914, be, as the letting loose Of rush
ing waters. II was because OF these
things that the Genoa conference was
convened. Two weeks ago I wrote
hopefully about it. A week ago 1 was
in doubt. Today am obliged to state
that in its larger aspects Genoa was
a dead loss. 1t was killed by the
aloofness of the United States and
the perversity of the French and Rus
sian spokesmen.
There still is a chance that in the
calmer atmosphere of the Dutch pal
ace at The Hague there may come a
larger viewpoint and a greater sense
Of responsibility. In any case. there
is truce to contention, and that is
something to be thankful for in these
days of small mercies. There still is
at least a chance of agreement at
The Hague, although the refusal Of
the United States to take part has
If, in addition. Belgium and France
claims of her right to decree only
collective ownership of property in
Russia, then The Hague is doomed.
Sovietism Hard Fact.
Great Britain already has made her
choice in favor of Russian autonomy
It seems to us to be the right policy
Under the circumstances. Sovietism
is a fact. To ask Russia to deny it
is impossible. AS well might King
George have asked the infant Ameri-
can states to have reimposed upon
themselves allegiance to him in the
eighteenth century. Redistribution of
private property may come. I believe
1t will. But the communism of the
soviets now is installed. and there is
no alternative in sight. 1t is true
that this sort of sovietism is anti
democratic, but sovietism and democ-
racy are in the world and of it, and
must come to some kind of working
agreement if there is 10 be relief
from revolutionary propaganda and
brute force.
Great Britain is willing to enter
such a non-aggressive pact as would
bring with 1t the disarmament of all
Europe. That, in our opinion, is the
only road to safety. Great Britain.
in short, desires peace and trade.
These are vital to US. and. we think
| to the world. If France will not
| work with US for these objects. we must
| work for them all the same. We believe
! further. that our viewpoint is the view
| point of the United States. and it is in
| that belief we would welcome a decision
at Washington again to interest 1T
| self in the destinies of the old world.