New-York tribune., 1922-04-26
Basis for Peace in Europe
Offered by Csecho-Sloudkia
Foreign Minister Benes Calls Upon Britain and
France to Settle Differences and Help Adjust
Boundary Questions, First Step to Pact

loan might be hoated among the sigma
tory nations which would help Ger
many to resume full industrial activity
soon, and thus assure regular payments
to the Allies on her War bill. He also
suggested that France be asked to pro
pose other means Of compensation rs
basis Of negotiation.
The Baltic states would return to
Russia and eventually accept mild
form Of autonomy under Benes's plan.
With the existing territorial disputes
cleared up, the nations. including the
Allies. would be permitted to negotiate
agreements with their neighbors on
matters concerning themselves. Thus
France would be free to settle her dill
ferences with Germany and be under
no obligations to Great Britain, Italy
or japan. short, Of course. Of occupy
ing German soil.
On The other hand, France and the
other Allies would have adequate guar
antics against infringements of the
terms Of the Treaty of Versailles. For
example. if Germany violated the treaty
she would be compelled to face penal
ties of which only military would be
barred.
Under Renes's plan an Anglo French
agreement is not only desirable but
necessary, and it is the right Of these
nations TO deal with one another Like
wise, the Russo German pact would en-
durc and other future treaties that
they might want TO make, so long as
they We're 1Ot based on a policy OF
aggression.
Seen Step to Disarmament
In an hours conversation with The
Tribune correspondent this afternoon
the C2eChO-Slovakian Foreign Minister
expressed the opinion that such an ar
rangcment in Europe inevitably would
Lead 20 At@ Limitation Of armaments on
the Continent n such way that the
signatory nations would find them
selves sufficiently strong, even with
reduced forces, and would be assured
against violation Of the treaty by any
one recs lcitrant nation.
Benes makes provision in his plan
for the Little Entente. including Po-
land. Of which he is the "father." to
stand en- bloc aga inst aggression from
Russia or any other nation attacking
any state in that entente. He believes
that these four states-Poland, Czecho-
Slovakia, Rumania and Jugo- Slavia-
are subject 10 the greatest danger If
Russia shows she is not ready to play
the game
Benes believes that if, beginning
with Eng gland, there is frank and lovai
co-operaNon among the nations as
sembleo at Genoa TO make European
peace on this basis, Europe may be
saved The neutral states have usxlred
him tnat they are ready TO WORK on
this basis. Germany ia agreeable on
condition that France will not exercise
her right under the Versailles treaty
TO occupy German soil. The Russians
have accepted in principle. Benes, of
course, speaks for the four nations in
the Little Entente.
Frankness and Loyalty Needed
This leaves the Allies outside. with
the main divergence Of opinion be-
tween France and England, Italy in
Ginning little toward the British point
OF view. Belgium to the French and
Japan nuetral,
Nv hat we need in Europe 81 this ver-y
hour.' said Benes, is frankness and
loyalty. Without it we cannot con
unue as we are. There is every hone
Chas the great United States Will come
WIN us IN our economic and financial
problems when we have settled orr
quarreIs and guaranteed our European
peace. That is the first essential in
Europe to-day and nothing else"
Benes is regarded by many as one Of
Europe's greatest statesmen, and per
maps the clearest sighted of them all
Persons familiar with his European
program accept it as basis of peaca
because they have faith that the states,
manship Of its author VIII carry il
through.