Evening star., 1925-04-03

"a scrap of paper" is vividly re-
called as the world gives its atten-
ton to the proposal of the British
government. through a statement by
Austin Chamberlain, foreign minis
ter, that his nation enter into an
agreement with France and Germany
for the maintenance Of the peace Of
Europe.
"It was a paper pledge that saved
France in 1914 and 1915" argues the
Los Angeles Times. 'Germany's vio-
lation Of a paper pledge brought Eng
land to the support Of France. and,
with England, the support of the An
glo-Saxon world. The greatest Sc
curity that France can now obtain is
one written on paper. Fortifying the
frontier will only retard more pow
erful neighbor. 1t cannot become a
permanent defense. When France
relies on guns and bayonets she is
living In the past and depending upon
the dead to defend the living"
The immediate effect OF the pro-
posed arrangement is forecast by the
Minneapolis Tribune. Each of the
powers would have to make certain
sacrifices" in the opinion Of the Tri-
bune. France would have to give up
her self-appointed job as Germany's S
official gaoler. Germany would have
Franco-G German boundaries. Britain
would have to give up her present
policy Of non participation or mini
mum participation in the European
disputes"
The Providence Bulletin sees sound
statesmanship in the plan, and re-
marks that Chamberlain demonstrated
that quality when, in enunciating
Great Britain's foreign policy, he de-
clared that only through the inclu-
sion Of Germany in the alliance could
there be any promise OF European
future free from war. In the very
nature Of things there Is. every reason
to believe that he is right"
One special necessity is pointed out
by the Utica Observer Dispatch in
it's study of the subject, and that is
based upon it's opinion of the Ger
man state Of mind. while the Ger
mans are ready" 1t says, ito admit
that the western frontier and the AL
SAGE Lorraine questions have been per-
manently settled, they are not SO
ready to accept as final the bound
aries fixed between Germany and Po-
land France, on the other hand.
must stand by her ally. Poland. and
can enter into no agreement which
would tie her hands in the case OF
dispute between the Reich and the
Polish republic"
u y X X
The necessity for including Ger
many in any arrangement that may be
made is recognized by the Dayton
News, which adds: "One of the out
standing dificulties that the conti-
nent has faced in recent years is the
disposition, particularly on the part
of France and her allies, to leave
Germany entirely out Of the subject
when 1t comes 70 considering ways
and means Of deciding upon peace
enterprise. Premier Herriot. to his
credit be 1t said, has been much more
literally disposed toward the German
government than was his predeces-
sor. Poincare. But, taken by and
large, the calculations OF the French,
without exception, have involved the
stifitng of Germany more than assist
ing her to a place of practical devel-
opment."
The Importance of a state OF mind
Is. seen by the Christian Science Mon
itor, which depIores the lingering
dread of another and more de-
structive war" The Monitor remarks
that 1--WE have no fears of the future
from Switzerland, which has not an
armed ship, nor from Denmark. which
maintains an army little bigger than
q modern metropolitan police force.
1t is the nations which are most ac-
lively preparing for war that most
gravely doubt their own security
The Kalamazoo Gazette also OBJ
serves that, next to war the greatest
curse of Euro11 = fear Of war.