Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-16
LEAGUE EXISTENCE
IS SEEN AT STAKE
Prestige Held Dependent on
AmiCabIe Settlement of
Customs Fight.
Continued From First Page)

Continued From First Page)
Finland over the Aaland Islands, that
Of Poland and Lithuania over Wilma, of
Poland and Germany over Upper ST.
lesia. of Albania and Jugoslavia over
their boundaries. of Italy and Greece
over the bombardment of Corfu, of
Greece and Bulgaria over the invasion
OF the latter by the former, and of
Turkey and Great Britain over Mosul
and the Irak boundary.
The technique acquired in the course
OF these experiences will undoubtedly
give the league confidence in taking
up the present Franco-German dis
pute. The moment nevertheless is
crucial II only because the greater part
Of Europe fer one reason or another
will now be tempted to take sides and
would tend to interpret the defeat of
It's own side as a betrayal Of justice by
the League.
Opposing Views Outlined.
A considerable element of German
opinion seems to hold that unless the
German cause is indicated, procf will
have been given that the League is
dominated by France and is mere
instrument for carrying out the French
Interpretation of the peace treaties
and that to expect justice from such
an organism is vain
The French Parliament, by its de-
feat of AriStide BRAND in the presi-
Dental election, betrays similar ma
tionalistic train Of reasoning. A grow
ing element CT French opinion seems
to believe that unless the French cause
is Vindicated, proof will have been
given of the Leagues impotence TO
conserve the moral and juridical bases
OF peace and of its helplessness in the
face of an accomplished fact.
In Great Britain the opinion is be
ing increasingly put forward that
Great Britain'S commitments under the
League covenant 90 much too far, that
Great Britain's real interests lie with
the Doninions and the United States,
that all the League can do is TO in
volve Great Britain against Its VIII IN
continental disputes, and that under
these circumstances Great Britain's
best course would be to withdraw al
together.
It is highly dubious if any of these
threats of withdrawal will ever be eX-
ecuted. Yet the increasing strength OF
this type Of opinion and its possible
reaction, accordingly as the League
now handles the German dis
pute well or i'll, must certainly be taken
into account.
Looking deeper, it appears that all
of the five great European powers, the
soviet Union. Germany, Great Britain,
italy and France, find themselves more
and more obliged to live and work CO.
operatively together, yet resent this
necessity and resist 1t to the best of
their ability. All want peace and tran
ouillity. but each wants it on its own
terms The form their resistance takes,
however, appears to be singularly
significant and is indirectly an admts-
sion of the necessity Of cooperation,
Five Countries Adamant.
The Soviet Union declares: You may
not like us or our ways, but you cannot
organize Europe without us. Conse-
uuently, you are obliged to consider
our views"
GERMANY declares: without me, you
cannot organize Europe. find Europe
as it stands today intolerable. Conse-
uuently, until you allow treaty revision
along lines acceptable to me, VIII re-
fuse to cooperate"
Great Britain says: II am not much
interested in continental affairs. My
interests are worldwide, and elsewhere.
Yet warn you you will have TO reckon
with me whenever I consider that my
interests are at stake. II you have any
doubts, you will soon find that you will
not be able to organize Europe without
me"
Italy says: Il am now very great
power. Every one must understand
that Italy hereafter intends to have
voice in everything important that hap
pens anywhere, but especially IN
Europe. And unless am duly needed,
7 will rreVent everything"
Council Meeting to Be Test.
Finally comes France, one of whose
new political leaders declared few
days ago THE day when 1t Is under
stood in Rome, and especially in Ber-
lin, that no solution Is possible OF the
economic crisis and that no European
union is possible without an agreement
with Paris and that no agreement is
possible with Paris except on the basis
Of respect for the treaties, on that day
a decisive step will have been taken
toward international peace and under
standing"
Thus all i've powers apparently are
saying the same thing, namely, unless
l have my way, l won't play"
Mondays council meeting will be the
test. Two spirits are affronting one
another-one, the spirit of national
egoism and international sabotage, the
other a spirit of Cancellation and I'M
derStanding in the common interest
The whole world seemingly Will be AZ
fected by the result.