Evening star., 1926-10-17
MRS. WILSON SEES ONE
OF II POINTS AT WORK
Operation of Policy of Self-Determina-
ton Interests Late Presidents Widow, '''
on European Tour.

peace settlement they would desert
or turn upon their rulers, thereby
starting a backf1re on Germany's
principal ally.
Comes to America.
Masaryk came to the United States
in 1917 and soon Washington and the
other allied capitals were increasing
propaganda along that line, with
President Wilson's speeches holding
out hope of self-government to long
oppressed peoples. The result Is now
history. Just as Masaryk believed,
the effect in the conglomeration OF
nationalities composing the Austro-
Hungarian empire was immediate and
decisive. The disintegration became
so accelerated that Austria-Hunga
sued for peace before Germany Old.
and signed an armistice week be-
fore Germany did. The breakup or
Austria Hungary unquestionably con-
ton of defeat.
1t was interesting that Masaryk
should have received word Of his cleo
ton as President of Czechoslovakia
while he was still in the United
States. in 1918. AS soon as conditions
permitted he went to Prague and or
ganized the government along lines
involving many American ideas.
His knowledge Of the United States
dates much further back. however, as
he came here in 1873 and married an
American girl, whom he had met first
in his student days in Europe. He is
now 76 years old and directs country
of 54,877 square miles. or about the
size of Illinois, and with population
of 13.613,172. Czechoslovakia has
been the most stable of the new coun.
tries in Europe under his guidance.
Sees 100 Years Of Peace.
The meeting between Mrs. Wilson
and President Masaryk, In Prague,
therefore, was not only interesting
because it renewed an acquaintance
of several years standing, but she
must have had significant conversa-
tion with him upon European condi-
tions. 1t is worth noting that Presi-
dent Masaryk was quoted some
months ago as having said that Eu-
rope would not see another great war
in 100 years.
That there will be sporadic and In
cidental outbreaks he does not doubt.
but such a general conf1agration as
began in 1914 he does not anticipate.
He pointed out that it was "A years
between the Franco-German War in
1870 and the World War in 1914. and
he believes that Europe will exceed
that period of peace by 5O-odd years
before another all-engulfing conflict
comes, if it comes then.
All of the new self-determinatton
nations have settled their war debts
to the United States Some OF them
for instance, Poland-have not had
easy sailing, Poland now being vir-
tually under q dictator. Their future
causes much speculation in Europe,
inasmuch as Germany and Russia,
from which nations so much territory
was taken.to establish the new states.
have shown an inclination to regain
some, if not all, .of the lost posses
SionS.
Helped by League.
However. Germany has entered the
League of Nations, which guarantees
the territorial integrity of its mem
bers, and, presumably. Germany Will
resort only to peaceful persuasion
within the League for any rectinca-
ton of boundaries. In the League
Germany will find the new nations
closely united on the one policy OF
preserving their existence.
AS for Russia, outside the League.
the seven nations on her European
border, from Finland through Poland
and Czechoslovakia to Rumania. all
having a common interest In self
preservation, could draw on a popu-
lation of about 65,O00.000 for de-
tenders, by no means a weak COM
bination. Russia also would see I'm
the background the allied nations
and the force of world sentiment
that now must be reckoned with
more than ever in starting aggressive
movements.
Against these speculations, how
ever, Is the more cheerful prophecy
of President Masaryk that Europe Is
in for a century at least of fairly
noacof,I doyal0nn1oOt