Evening star., 1929-12-15


the world for the seven days
ended December IA: .....-..
GERMANY.-On November 30 the
Reichstag rejected the liberty bill by
an overwhelming majority. The bill
will be referred to the people on De-
cember %. It Is evident that notnlng
short of a political earthquake In the
interval will secure 1t a popular ma
iority. Some dozen Reichstag Deputies
of the Nationalist (or National Ger
man People's) party having voted
against the bill, DR.. Hugenberg, heao
of the party caused disciplinary pro-
ceedings to be instituted against them
as party membCrs, whereupon they re-
signed from the party. The violent
disagreement within the party over the
bill is likely to have momentouS con-
sequences to German politics.
The second zone of allied occupation
on the Rhine (the Coblenz Bridgeheao,
Bridgehead No. y ceased to exist on
November 80 with its evacuation by the
French troops, a month in advance OF
the date contemplated by the Versailles
| treaty. The first zone Of occupation
Cologne Bridgehead, Bridgehead No.
u lapsed on June 80, 1925. Unless
some hitch occurs with reference to the
Young plan the third zone CMalnZ-
Frankfort -WieSbaden) will be evacuated
by June 80, 1880, four and hall years
ahead of the date named for evacuation
| in the Versailles treaty.
4 y X
CHINA.-Apparently an agreement
between Moscow and Mukden on the
Chinese Eastern Railway question has
been consummated, and apparently the
Marking government has formally sig
nified approval thereof; agreement on
the basis of Moscow's demands very
slightly modified in the interest of Chi
nese "save-face." The settlement, how
ever, has certain wabbly and anaemic
look.
I refrain from adding to the multi
tudinous comment on Mr. Stimson's note
reminding the Moscow government of its
obligations under the Kellogg pact. The
reply by M. Litvinow, Russian foreign
] commissar, was sufficiently saucy. Point
| ing out that Mr.. Stimson'S note was
dispatched at the precise juncture when
-Mukden direct negotiations
were in process, he pronounced it an
attempt to influence those negotiations
adversely to Moscow, in fine, an un-
| friendly act. The Soviet government
was surprised that the United States,
| which, by its own desire. was not in
relations with the Soviet Union should
undertake to give advice to the latter"
BY way of sur-rejoinder Mr. StimSon
issued a statement to the press, deny
ing NJ Litvinov's imputations and pa
tiently explaining his position. as to
children. For the Russian psychology is
at once childish and of a fantastic
Slav-M -Mongoloid blend, and it's kettle
dealing with the like.
The Chinese internal situation has
developed IN an amazing manner with
in the fortnight. A fortnight ago mat
ters seemed in happy train for Chang
Kai-Shek and the Marking government.
The Kuominchun seemed to have been
dealt with decisively, whether by the
leaden or by the silver bullet; 1t seemed
safe to detach to Canton a force SUM-
cient to insure liquidation OF that pes
tiferous Chang Fa-Kwei and his
Kwangsi supporters. Surely, at the least,
a goodly breathing space ahead.
But no! On December 3 division
at Pukow Opposite Nanking on the
Yangtze), ordered to embark for Can
ton, mutinies, loots Pukow and pro-
ceeds up country by train, Seizing roll.
ing stock en- route to delay pursuit. Al
Pengtu they entrain, and soon they are
Joined by disaffected units. Here, there
everywhere, troops ordered in pursuit
refuse. cut communications. Worst