Evening star., 1925-08-30
BY SHELDON S. CLINE.

ONDON-S So much is heard
about the difficulties between
France and Germany that one
IL is likely to get the impression
that the peace of Europe Is
chiefly menaced by their mutual suspi-
cions and conflicting programs. There
could hardly be greater mistake.
France and Germany have been at
war so often in the past that 1t
would be foolish TO say they will not
go TO war again, but there are other
perils to European peace much more
imminent.
One of these perils is Russia, an
other is Poland and third is the
conglomeration of states which re-
suited from splitting up the Austro-
Hungarian empire. Peace no more
abides on the Danube and Vistula than
1t does along the Rhine At best there
exists an armed truce and the truce
is frequently broken. At each break
ing OF the truce the cha ancellerieS of
Europe tremble, for ii is in such ways
that wars have their beginnings.
OF all the problems of Europe, that
OF Russia appears today the most
difficult and the most insoIuble
/ do not see how an American can
spend any time in Europe without
becoming thankful that his own Gov
ernment kept out of the Russian mess
Other governments which are in would
be thankful If they were out. At a
luncheon l sat next to a we'll informed
French diplomat, and the converse
ton turned to Russia. Asked what
France had gotten out of her recog-
milton of the Soviet government, he
shrugged his shoulders in a truly
Gallo way and answered, "A lemon"
Germany Alone Satisfied.
And it is the same story with all the
other governments which have en-
tered into diplomatic relations with
the Moscow outfit-with the possible
exception of Germany. Berlin appar-
emily is satisfied with the present and
hopeful Of the future. Feeling them
selves more or less an outcast people,
1t perhaps is only natural that the
Germans should seek association with
other outca SITS. No one knows Just
how close the relations are between
Berlin and Moscow or what under
standings may have been arrived at,
but the possibility of an offensive and
defensive alliance between Germany
and Russia is one of the Nightmares
of European diplomacy.
There Is every reason to believe
Germany is sincere in her profession
OF reconcilement to the loss of Alsace
Lorraine and acceptance of her pres
ent western boundaries as a fact ac-
complished Even in France there is
no serious belief that Germany has
any notion of going to war to rectify
her western frontiers. But she has
not been reconciled to her losses of
territories in the east and there is
good reason to believe that, did she
feel strong enough, she would go to
war to recover them.
A good part of the territory the loss
OF which Germany most bitterly re-
sents is incorporated in the present
Poland. Russia also lost territory
which is now a part Of Poland. What
more natural than that Germany and
Russia. In alliance, should some day
seek to regain these lost territories?
They would find abundant justiflca-
ton for such a program in the his
tory of Europe for the last 200 years.
1t has been a favorite outdoor sport
In Europe to make war and grab off
piece of the conquered enemys
territory. and for the conquered
enemy in turn to make war and grab
1t back again when he got strong
enough or gained strength through
alliances. II would be too much to
expect OF Germany and Russia
smarting under real and fancied
wrongs, that they should exhibit
virtues their neighbors have not
possessed.
Menace i'm Economic Way.
Nor is II in a military way alone
that the other nations of Europe are
made uneasy by the German and Rus
sian rapprochement. They are dis
mayed by the economic possibilities. |
At present Russia has relatively little
TO offer in the way Of worthwhile |
trade, but she has a very great deal
to offer in the way of possible develop |
ment of her raw resources. The pic |
ture of German technical skill welded !
to Russian raw materials is not one |
to be viewed with equanimity by the |
other industrialists of Europe. 1t looks |
to them as frightfully menacing in
times of peace and of appalling posi- |
bilities in the event Of another war.
That the German economic pene-
tra.ion af Russia already is under
way is SHOWN by an official statement |
just Sssusd ty the Moscow govern
roeot Namely agreements now are in
effect, nrlder which Russia has grant
eh concessions to foreign capital.
twenty-five OF these agreements are
With German firms, II with English
8 WIN American, and the rema lining
43 arr divided among % various ma
uonaifties. The ost important con-
cesSional ACTIVITY so far is in the tim
Der industry. where the concession
aires are taking out about one fourth
of all the timber exported.
inquiry dtSClOSeS how little fOunda-
ion there was for the fears of those
Americans who thought that unless
the Washington Government extend
ed recognition TO the government at
Moscow American exporters, includ-
ing farmers, would be deprived of rich
Russian markets. Rich Russian mar
kets are like the old farmers giraffe,
there ''ain't no sich animule." AS is
we'll known. the foreign trade of Rus
sia. is a monopoly of the Soviets. The /
government decides what shall be i'm
ported and whence. And 1t is rather /
o striking fact that in the foreign
trade appropriations for the present
year larger sums were set aside for
purchases in the United States than
were allotted for purchases in any
country which has extended recoSni-
ton to the Soviets. France extended
recognition, and got "a lemon" The
United States withheld recognition,
and got the bulk of available Russian
cash.
Chance to Sell on Credit.
or course. there are almost limitless
cpportunities for Tho United States |
and other nations 70 sell goods in
Russia IL they are willing to accept |
Soviet promises to pay in the lieu of /
cash American exporters. at least,
are not anxious for trade on those
farms. There have been too ma ny |
exhibitions of Russia's financial i'm |
mora lity. So far as Russia offering !
a market for American agricultural |
products. there Is nothing in it. Rus |
sia is predominately an agricultural |
country and given anything like a
fair chance Russian farmers will grow !,
e. ~ dAd of nd L