Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-03
European Chaos FOreseen


/ other countries, but she may not grant
any state any special system or ex-
elusive preferences adapted to endangef
this independence.
But nothing of the kind is contern-
plated by either of these states. At
of Nations IN 1880 DR.. Schober, the
Austrian vice chancellor. pointed out
| that a better organization of Europe S
whole economic life must begin with
regional understandings. The treaty
under consideration carries out that
idea. AS both governments have de-
clared they are ready to ENTER into
negotiations concerning the same kind
of an arrangement with any European
country willing to do So But the
basis of all negotiations Is the preser
walton of the complete sovereignty and
independence of the countries in ques-
| ton"
What we have here is a preliminary
treaty which contains details for Gus
toms union treaty to be concluded later.
Hence, although no juristic objections
to such a treaty can tenably be ad-
vanced, the two countries have never
| theless declared their willingness to ac-
cept England'S proposal that the legal
permissibility of the proposed treaty
shall be again considered at the session
of the League of Nations in May. Both
countries naturally reject most decis-
lively any political consideration or crit
icism of the treaty, They are sovereign
and not subject to the political decisions
of other nations.
But BRAND has a second iron in the
| fire. He Immediately gets in touch with
Poland and the states of the Little
Entente, in order to forge with them
his plan of opposition, which is to block
the way for any extension of the Ger
man Austrian agreement This plan
will create difficulties even for the
craftsmanship of a BRAND. In any
event. he will not be in a position to
prevent the two contracting countries
| from carrying out their arrangement,
| nomic situation.
Another Problem Presented.
But. quite apart from this, a ques-
ton presents itself here which Is Of de-
cisive importance not merely for France
and the two contracting parties, nor
| even alone for other European states,
but In the last analysis for the whole
| civilized world. 1t is this: How long
will creditor nations suffer this dam
aging conduct on the part of France.
| which desires in every way to place him
| ORANGES in the path of the conquered
states, now coming ever nearer to eco
nom1c collapse In their steadily 1ncreas-
| ing struggle for existence?
Is it not realized that the economic
and financial collapse of Germany and
Austria would make these countries well
| come booty for bolshevist revolutionary
| plans? Through their customs union
these two countries desire only to do
their part In giving strong impulse
to the idea OF an economic union of
European countries. There Is nothing
to prevent these other countries from
| joining the customs union thus formed
1t is way-and Just now the only
way-to ward off the catastrophe con-
sequences of the economic collapse in
Europe generally. Ever and again a
solemn warning must go out to all con-
cerned!
The situation is one Of the gravest
danger. Unless economic wisdom can
gain an early victory over French mar
row -mindedness, the menace of Euro
pean chaos, whose consequences are
unforeseeable, becomes ever more real
and urgent.