Evening star., 1926-04-02
WHAT HAPPENED AT GENEVA
BY FRANK n. SIMONDS.

South American state should be able
to veto the general European peace
arrangement. But at least this IL
smaller evil capable Of amendment.
The real evil which stands out with
appalling clarity is that when the
great powers disagree the whole ma.
chinery Of the league ia instantly
pa ra lyzed. And when the great pow
srs agree. the small powers can nev-
4rtheIess intervene to prevent hens-
fetal action II their own selfish or
legitimate aspira tions. which have M
direct relation 10 the question AT is.
sue, are not realized
-
France and Germany fought here a
battle over prestige: Sweden. Spain
and Brazil fought here battle grow
ing out of their respective conceptions
of the rights of small nations. their
own rights to dictate policies or oh
tain profits Sweden. perhaps not by
design, blocked all solution favorable
to France by declining assent to a
new seat for Poland Brazil served
her own ends by blocking German
admission since no seat could fall to
herself Spain in the critical hour IN
nounced that she would leave the
league If she did not get q permanent
seat.
For the American. there is no re-
mote possibility of comprehendinG the
extent to which European national
isms behind the scenes bsrEained.
traficked. manipulated and ma neu-
vered.
The question directly at issue was
always the admission of Germany hut
the fortunes of the Little Entente
were involved. The battle between
Germany and Italy. recently Joined
by MussOlini. exercised an enormous.
II concealed, influence. Rivalries be-
tween France and Italy in the Near
East appeared. OF sudden. one had
the impression of opening a Window
to look out into a clear atmosphere
and. instead, gazing upon an enor-
nous. active factory, where wheels,
belts and machinery all were whirlins
with an enormous noise in rapid revo-
luton.
When the battle was over the first
thought in all minds was not the blow
which had been dealt the league. not
the effect OF the battle upon the cause
of world appeaSement. but wonder
as to whether the burden of proht had
lain with France, with Germany or
with Italy: whether, as conSe-
quence. cabinets and prime ministers
of various states would fall or he
strengthened. Just as the conference
to make peace in accordance with the
IA points was transformed into con-
nict between rival nationalisms to the
utter disregard Of the principles in
voked. SO the meeting at Geneva.
which. i'm the spirit Of the league. WAS
to conslImmate a great European adj
justment, became yet another bat
tleground for exactly the same infiu-
ences and forces conducted with the
same disregard of all the avowed prin.
ciples.
Given this situation. one is forced
to ask the question, What possible
achievement could be expected in any
present time through reference to the
league Of the question of disarfhame
question at last as certain as that
of the German admission to provoke
new collision of all the forces re.
Gently arrayed against each other
here? At all events, it must be said
that every competent authority is
agreed in the judgment that after the
recent experience the arms confer.
euce must he adjourned indefinitely.
Though expert commissions may do
bate. serious negotiations are utterly
absurd.
kca~znS..k. AnnnhA