The Omaha morning bee., 1924-05-27
OmahaWheIe theMeSt is at its Best
WORKING TO AVOID WAR.


One of the most encouraging signs noted in the
European situation is the announcement that
Fdouard Herriot will be the next premier of France
He will head a government that is dominated by the
left. but to which the adherence of certain other
eroups is essential. Herriot who has twelve times
heen MAYOR of Lyons is industrialist, which
means he has a sympathetic attitude toward German
as we'll as French restoration. But he has said: Il
do not want German-made peace
His interview with Millerand and Poincare last
week when he was called into conference on the
general situation, a notable innovation IN french
administration 1t was then reported that Mr.. Her
riot rebuked both the president and the premier Tor
the policy they had adopted internal we'll as ex-
ternh It is agreed that the recent election de-
termned more by domestic than foreign issues, and
Herrot's positnon is clearly shown by his demand
that rigid economy be practiced. That more than
400 600 900 francs cut from the Poincare bud
get on his demands gives France assurance of what
may be expected when Herriot is in power.
Lyons is noted as center of patriotic inspiration
for France and the who could be so con-
tinuously elected mayor of the great industrial cen
ter may be regarded wholeheartedy devoted to his
country from nationalistc point of view. Yet
Herrott has visited Russia and come home with some
notions that are not entirely narrow. These will be
izes that France will not prosper unless Germany re
wives Here he is in line with the thought of Ram
say Macdonald and the majority of the British lead
ers. Germany must pay in full, but crushed and
PROSTATE Germany not pay. Only when the
German people are at work again will France get
what she looks for in the way of reparations. Pon-
cares policy will be greatly modified if not entirely
abandoned when Herriot comes in
That is a long step toward settlement. 1t may
be TOD fate to soften the German heart but it will
strengthen France, and go far to gain -her those
pledges of security she has sought from others Ger
many will he left alone in the cherishing of revenge
While this is going or, there is also in motion
program for the admission of Germany to the League
of Nations This form of recognition will, it is
thought. have effect the German viewpoint
An even more significant proposal is that con-
ference of nations be called to which the United
States Germany and Russia will be invited, for the
purpose of reconsderng the covenant Of the League
Of Nations, and the recasting Of its framework,
pecialy Articles l. and XVI. Herriot has pro-
claimed himself ready to take part in another arms
conference, and this may easily be made to cover
the Leaeue.
In America all the organized forces of the nation
are moving along the same line headed in the
direction The League of Nations is no longer dis
cussed in tentative way by those who continue
their faith in its efficacy. These numerous and
influential but they not sufficient TO
the intense national feeling that pervades the
land 1t is this feeling throughout the world that
has been the real stumbling block in the path of the
league National feeling is powerful and the affair
between Italy and Greece showed how hopeless is
the present task Of establishing internationasm as
he ruling sentiment Therefore the World Court
gathers strength not only in America but throughout
he world. Stanley Rice, discussing Problems of
The League" in the Fortnishty Review, writes Of the
issue of the aly-Greece affair:
at means that the lesser powers unwilling
10 trust themselves in the hands OF the greater
less they represented in the council OF the
League. 1t means too, that neither the one dis
putant the other could place absolute confidence
in the mparhaly either Of the League or Of the
Conference fof amhassadors Nor does il that
absolute confidence ever he obtained except by
the permanent international court II indeed that Is
founded upon the British conception that in case
whatsoever must judicial process be Influenced
by executive, administrative or diplomatic consldera
tions."
That in nutshell, tells the story The smaller
nations disrustful of the great the greater are
not willing to allow the little fellows to dictate the
policy. A World Court will provide a tribunal Mt
the bar of which all nations will be of one size JUS
ce and right will be the end sought not expedency
political commercial advantage.
With better days ahead for France and Germany.
with Russia slowly learning that the brotherhood of
man not be erected class hatred with the
United States and England moving for a permanent
international court of justice the possibility Of war
Z is becoming remote The League OF Nations
may go as it is, or it may be altered in detail
part at least fulfilled 1t In the court that all will
find at last that security that is not assured by
any other form Of organization.