Evening star., 1924-10-04

The German cabinets decision to
apply for membership in the League
of Nations is commented on favor
ably by a large section of the Amer
lean press and many editors regard
it as an important step toward polit-
ical rehabilitation, even though others
can see only rainbow chasing" in
the suggestion that the Germans be
admitted to the league as equals with
the present members.
Referring to the changed attitude
of Germany the Chicago Daily News
saws: NO doubt considerations of the
proposed s20O,0O0,00O loan to Ger
many have been a factor in the deci-
sion reached. The chances OF the
loan are good. They would be better
with Germany in the league, at least
in the British. French and other
European money markets. Again
Germany knows that the present
British and French governments are
sincerely pacific and liberal, and that
they would sympathetically consider
its reasonable conditions or reserVa-
tions." Since 'the German Nationalist
have wisely decided to leave to his
tory the question of war guilt and
have Withdrawn their protests OF
German innocence" the Los Angeles
Express is sure the door to en-
trance of the League of Nations now
stands wide open for the Germans
If Europe is to be stabilized, the
Little Rock Arkansas Democrat IN
sistS Germany must be member OF
the league, and on a basis OF equalltS
with the other large nations. IL she
is not admitted on that basis, sne
might as we'll not be admitted at all.
eft is not likely, however. that
serious objection will be raised by
the French to the admission of their
late enemies" in the opinion OF the
Louisville Courier-Journal, for Pre-
mier Herriot is believed to be SIN
cerely desirous of making the league
complete, as far as Europe Is con-
cerned. and, since the entrance OF
Germany will leave only Russia out
side, it is probable that Berlin viii
be given a seat in the league coun-
cil." The step will be one of out
standing Importance to the peace OF
Europe" says the Dayton News, and
the rest of Europe ought to see
that Germany is encouraged be-
cause Germany at present needs the
principles of the league to sustain
her in her battle to maintain the
democracy that was won through the
dethronement of the former kaiser.
OF immediate practical consequence,
suggests the Indianapolis News, is
the fact that, with Germany a mem
Der it will no longer be possible to
think of the League of Nations as
league of victors, as an organiza-
ton designed to impose the will of
the conquerors on the conquered, as
a part of the machinery Of the great
war" AS a member of the league,
agrees the Newark News, Germany
may again meet the other nations
as an equal, raising herself once more
to the status of one of the great
powers. She can put an end to the
complaints she has made ever since
the war that she was being dictated
to instead of negotiated with" And,
as the st. Paul Dispatch points out,
"in Germany mem bership in the
league has come to signify readmis
sion in full grace to the family of
nations; for the league, the admis-
sion of Germany has come to be a
vital necessity"
Just how serious are the conditions
attached by the German cabinet to its
vote for membership does not yet
appear, the Springfield Republican ex-
plains, adding: "One of the most
troublesome conditions, the formal re-
traction by Germany of its confession
Of responsibility for the war, for
tunately seems to have been dropped,
but there remains a vague demand for
fair treatment which may mean much
or little. In view of the dis
proportionate power which the covenant
gives to the council and which will be
inevitably increased if the security and
disarmament project goes into effect,
the demand of Germany for representa-
ton on the council is not unreasonable,
but 1t may cause difficulties, although
they should not be insurmountable."
X X
The Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph,
however, believes eff Germany be-
comes a member not only of the
league but of the inner council, then,
indeed, there will be a startling trans
formation on the stage of European
affairs. Having Germany in the league
as an inferior, as one of the small fry
of the assembly. is one thing; ad-
mitting her as one of the big bosses is
quite an0thd, 1t remains to be seen