Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10
BY FRANCIS M. MANSFIELD.

~ ENEVA.-Much like those who
go to the circus with the
T lurking hope of seeing the
lions maui the hon-tamer,
some attend the sessions OF
the League of Nations here anticipat-
ing witnessing an explosion that Will
wreck the League, covenant and all:
In recent years the explosion has
been announced for each successive
session, but when the time came no
one dared light the match-so now
those seeking a pyrotechnic display set
their hopes on spontaneous combustion.
Will the explosion come within the
next fortnight? There is an ample
stock OF explosives collected. but who
is going to set the match? Failing
such, will the spark come from the
conflicting elements?
Staked on Compromise.
The League has been stalking its ex-
istence on compromise and postpone
ment. which is tantamount to storing
dynamite in the cellar near gas pipes
and electric wires. Over this cellar the
committee which controls Austria'S
financial rehabilitation meets on May
IL, the commission studying the Euro
pean union meets on May Is and the
League meets on May 10.
In each case the agenda Is based
on economic considerations, but IN
each case the specter of politics looms
behind. Hitherto Geneva has been
trying hard TO convince itself that the
two can be separated. but after each
attempt at self-deception hard facts
come forward to prove the contrary.
When the match is set to the powder
magazine it will be politics that sets It,.
The chances Of spontaneous COM
bustion appear rather remote on this
occasion. AS one delegate put it to
the writer, one can't get spark by
striking steel on a sponge. On one
side there is the consistent German
policy which has been built up since
the Versailles treaty. On the other
side there is an improvised Utopian
scheme TO create European union.
What Germans Will Say.
The Germans do not conceal the
fact that they are going to say: 1.-THE
treaty is unjust. Each year brings
further, proof Of this. We are being
crushed under the burden OF repara-
tons. When we try to work out our
own salvation we are faced by objec-
tons. Today We suggest a customs
union with Austria in order to try to
meet our obligations. You object. Yet
Austria is willing and Hungary, Ru-
mania, JugoslaVia and perhaps others
seem to think there is something in
the idea. II this is not permitted, you
must help us. Otherwise we are
ruined. We must modify the Young
plan, must have a moratorium or must
obtain credits. Why not make mittel-
Europe f1t in with pan-Europe?"
In the other camp France is the
spokesman, with Czechoslovakia her
chief supporter. France has not yet
revealed her complete scheme, but it
is known TO be based on bringing the
industrial lion and the agrarian lamb
to eat from the same manger and to
call for much expert study before it
will be cohesive.
Are Hesitant OnIookers.
Great Britain and Italy stand as
onlookers. rather hesitant ones, for they
know economic problems today cannot
be restricted TO one continent, and
when 1T comes to a reduction of debts,
the granting OF. credits and limiting Of
exports, America will have something
to say. In view OF the present appear
ance OF the rival schemes. observers
here see further compromises and fur