Evening star., 1924-09-14
PEACE BY ARBITRATION
is ERA NOW AT HAND
European Leaders Apparently Deter
mined to Achieve Idealistic Coal, and
4 at Earliest Possible Moment.

would be the United States, for even
Germany, according to present plans,
soon will be member of the league
and will coordinate her effort with
the others In maintaining peace.
Gernaa1rte CO In League.
The question Of 'Germany's admit
tance to the league has been moot
one for several weeks. France would
permit Germany to enter the assem-
bly,, but Germany and England be-
lieve that Berlin should be represent
ed in the. council also. These differ
ences are minor, and it Is expected
that as soon as Berlin ascribes fully
to the Dawes report and the plan is
In fair way Of being realized in full
there. will be no question whatever of
Germany joining the league with as
full rights therein as other nations
possess. The question of security un-
der, such circumstances, a question
that always is uppermost in the
French mind, would be enhanced ten
fold by the mere admittance of Ger
many to- the league and her agree
ment to the arbitration and disarma-
ment clauses of the league. The
French have shown some qualms as
to the present state of German arma-
ment, but under the league plan these
french position in regard to Germany
VIII be predicated in some measure
on the report of the interallied arms
commission now investigating Ger
many's military strength, but, accord
ing to reports received in London, the
French really have no Just reason for
tearing Germany in this regard.
Against Balance Of Power.
1t Is significant that during the
present sessions of the league coaH-
tions of nations designed to perpetu-
ate the old balance Of power theory,
declared one of the real reasons for
the World War. have been attacked
repeatedly and dangers pointed out
Under the new scheme chance of
groups of nations allying themselves
against other groups would be re-
duced to the minimum, for the inter-
national activities of all would be
under close scrutiny Of the league
In the first place, contentious issues
arising, thosc which have heretofore
caused groupings of nations for the
sake of political and military ex-
pediency. would be settled through
arbitration under league auspices be-
fore nations found it necessary to
align themselves in blocs. 1t is be-
lieved that many of the really serious
settled under league guidance.
If there is real effort to make any
Geneva agreement a living thing, then
Europe will see an era of peace and
progress never before approached.
Nations will be permitted to go about
theira business without fears or
qualms. Economic and industrial ad-
vance with broadest sort Of inter-
national trade will be enhanced. Sus-
picion will grow less as years pass
and general feeling of trust will
supplant thatFtof Indifference or ac-
tual antagonism.
At least these are the goals the
leaders Of allied governments now
have in mind. They may be realized
IL procrastination does not clutch
present effort and null 1t, permitting
a new group of conditions and cir
cumstances to arise before realiza-
tion. This has been one Of the re-
tarding circumstances since the war
ended. and as result Europe has
slipped backward in large measure in
stead of advancing. Leaders, cognizant
Of this, undoubtedly will press to the
utmost limit to see the general prfn-
ciple of arbitration security and dis
armament realizable at the earliest
possible moment before further dan
gers can beset.