Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1924-12-28


- self from the muck and mire
OF the World War Since the
IL greatest of all military strug-
giles ended Europe has found
ored and in such fashion as to give
ground for the belief that 1t would
be a decade before there could be
| orderly advance.
But the year 1924 has witnessed
tremendous changes In the political
social and economic fabric of the old
| world-and in the main, for the
better.
There are reasons for the belief
that the year just drawing to an end
will be looked back upon as the
greatest single period of advance, the
most notable in the demonstrating of
the forces of peace and abandonment
of the theoretical panaceas.
In centuries gone by nations par
ticfpating in warfare have suffered
from long periods Of anxiety, doubt
In existing forms of government and
general chaos. Inasmuch as prac-
tically all of the nations Of the world
Joined in the world struggle, ma
turally 1t has been q survival Of
the fittest In recent years, each caring
for individual restoration, but all
eventually being finally forced to con-
slider the interests Of the others, even
those of the enemy, in recognition of
the fact that only in preservation of
common veal can there be prolonged
rehabilitative processes.
Change From NatfonaIism.
After the war ended, even in the
Paris peace conference, one witnessed
nationalism rampant even to the ex-
clusion of those bigger and broader
ideals SO eloquently championed dur
inc hn Of ctr xrrln II
some instances this nationalism
threatened to undo all that had been
accomplished in protection and fur
therance of the cause of democratic
government. Among wartime friends
there sprung up determined rivalry
in Selling diplomatic advantage on
the continent. Everywhere was there
firm efforts to politically dig in
to insure preponderent diplomatic in
fluence among the smaller nations, all
with the general idea of perpetuating
the best interests of larger countries.
Conference after conference be-
tween premiers and high statesmen
of various nations designed to obtain
agreements destined to set Europe's
house in order were wrecked upon
the rocks of political expediency. The
suspicion that marked diplomatic and
governmental endeavor before the
struggle ended. And this between
friends.
Antfpathies between one-time friends
and foes that naturally might be ex-
pected to end in the interest of gen.
eral economic and financial recovery
among all nations were heightened.
Jealousy ruled in the foreign offices.
Faith was stricken from lexicons of
these statesmen considering partici :
n m tn int I'll ~
the unsophisticated each nation ap-
parently was extending the right
hand Of fellowship to others, while as
matter Of fact cudgels were hidden
behind the back.
Change in Attitude.
AS has been tho case in all interna-
tional relationships, there had to be
alteration Of policy on the part of one
or more nations before there could be
reached any common ground Of I'M
Outstanding. Lloyd George did not
weaken from his own peculiar view
point Of what Europe needed, and
what England needed was considered
best for the others, too. In further
ing his own peculiar panaceas he en-
countered the firm Wills of Premiers
BRAND and Poincare of France. The
first was willing to meet England
half way, the latter wanted England
to play exclusively in Frances back
yard. Lloyd George disappeared from
the scene and there came Baldwin,
Baldwin was adamant to the beguile-
mentS OF Poincare and certainly took
advanced ground against the peculiar
notions of the French premier, whose
Ruhr adventure brought Europe close
to a breach giving every prospect of
lasting for decades. Most certainly
In
mendous struggle for diplomatic and
political domination of Europe
Poincare and Baldwin remained firm
IN their positions in regard to Euro
pean settlements, notwithstanding
perfunctory efforts to make II appear
that England and France were to con-
Ftinue to work together. England saw
Frances political and military pres
t1ge growing. France likewise felt
SATISFIED In this, but in one respect
what tho world thought of her eff
forts-there was establishment in
the Poincare theses of nationaIistfc
might. AS the upshot of the failure of
various allied statesmen to agree and
the absolute demand of the people of
the continent that the impasse should
be ended and something real be done
to bring peace and settled order again.
the governments of both Baldwin and
Pofncare eventually were over
thrown.
Rise OF the Liberals.
The Socialistic and Labor movements
in Europe had gained strength dur
ing the period of general dissatisfac-
ton with economic and financial con-
ditions, all attributable to the failure
of various governments to make COM
mon cause in stabilizing conditions
Dol
ped down and Poincare was forced to
give up the reins of government, the
Socialist and Labor elements formed
the chief opposition to the French and
English governments. Naturally they
were called upon to step into power
and see what they could do in the
practical application of their theories.
Ramsay Macdonald went to 10 Down
ing street. Herriot later went to the
Quai dOrsay to act not only as pre-
mier, but foreign minister These
two old political buddies Immediately
considered what might be done were
they to cooperate. The misunder-
standings of previous governments
were wiped out with a few pipefuls
and a few slaps on the back The
policies of France and England were
brought more in attune. Herriot, after
conference with Macdonald, agreed to
oeslSt IN proVocatlng, even though
possibly just, attempts to further
harass Germany in the Ruhr. During
the period of cooperation the Dawes
plan for the refinancing and economic
rehabilitation Of Germany was drawn
up and adopted. The allies approach
ed Germany with a spirit of under
standing and desire to be of real as
sistance in bringing about settled
conditions within Germany. The
government Of Chancellor Marx was
receptive.