Evening star., 1925-05-04
Security Pact May Be Involved.

Special significance was attached
to the fact that the statement came
at a time when considerable suspicion
and distrust OF Germany are being
voiced in various parts of Europe,
particularly France, because of the
election to the presidency of Field
Marshal Won Hindenburg, who is as
serted by some to represent those re
dictionary forces which are inimical
to the peace and interest of at least
some of the allies.
Interlocked with this idea, it has
been commented. may be the fate OF
the security pact proposed by Ger
many and warmly seconded by Eng
land as d great step toward the re
establishment Of real peace. Indeed,
there has been some speculation as
TO whether the effective working OF
the Dawes plan might be impaired by
this tanning OF the smouldering fire
of distrust.
Whether Ambassador Houghton had
any of these things in mind was open
to conjecture. He referred to none
of them. but contented himself with
making it plain not only that the
e-esta blishment of peace was eS-
sential TO the continuation of assist
ance from the United States. but that
the answer to the question whether
there was to To peace must come from
the peoples of Europe themselves. If
there was to be peace. then America
would help in the reconstruction to
the extent of her ability.
The full measure of American
helpfulness. Ambassador Houghton
declared. "can be obtained only when
the American people are assured that
the time for destructive methods and
policies has passed and that the time
for peaceful upbuilding has come" "
His Maiden Address.
AS the guest of honor of the Pill
grims. Mr. Houghton was making his
maiden address in the capacity of AM
hassador TO Great Britain. Among
the most prominent gathered to vel
come him. in addition to Premier Bald
win. to introduce him. We're the Duke
of York, former Premier Macdonald,
the Amba ssadors from Belgium, ia
pan. Germany, Portugal and Brazil.
the Archbishop of Canterbury, Colo
NAL Secretary Amery, Sir Auckland
Geddes, Sir Samuel Hoare, the Earl of
Craven and Lord AStor.
Year Records Advance.
Il doubt if the American people
look upon their ventures in recon
struction in any such fashion. Their
viewpoint is much more like your own.
They, like you. are contemplating The
slow recovery of a world which has
been badly hurt morally and physical
Iy by war. If material progress hitl-
erto has been slow. we can at least
congratulate ourselves that it has
been sure. As we cast our eyes back
ward over the past year, for instance,
we note a really substantial advance.
The fundamental necessity that the
peoples of central Europe shall be
enabled once again to go to work
has been met: capital, without which
the other factors of production could
not be made to operate, has been
largely stabilized. Your own long-sus-
tanned and magnificent effort to place
your money on gold basis has been
crowned with success.
"Order has been established, and
while to some extent the disorganiza-
ton of international trade and mar
kets. which came as a natural conse-
quence of the war, still persists,
marked Improvement has been shown
even here. 1t has been somewhat
trying time. We have no doubt
learned a good deal in the process.
That much at least we can put among
our assets. But the heavy work is
done, the foundations of a new pros
perity have been laid.
Nevertheless, what remains to be
done is almost as difficult as what
has already been accomplished. 1t in
wolves considerations which are more