Evening star., 1933-04-02
WARNING TO WORLD SEEN
IN EUROPEAN WAR SCARE
Recent Events Are Likened to Tangier,
Bosnian and Agadir Incidents That
Preceded Upheaval in 1914.

4 IOl do 4Idlldll dCJlOIl OlSSlOoCd az bllC
time of the Austro-Germ tariff
union project, Rome does not welcome
the idea Of a union between Berlin and
Vienna which would bring the from
tiers of the new Reich to the Alps, and
thus almost inevitably the question rises
of the Upper Adige, that old Austrian
region now joined to Italy. Nor would
Rome welcome the appearance of Ger
many on the Middle Danube, which
might prove an even greater barrier to
Italian influence in the Southeast of
Europe than the present French sys-
tenn of alliances.
Italy in recent years has been trying
to play a game of prestige policy, nat
ural in her situation, wholly de-
fensible in its character, given the
present state of Italian strength. but
dangerous because it has awakened the
apprehensions of the French on one side
and of the little entente on the other
The object of the policy has been to
attain for Italy a place in Europe of
parity vis-a-vis France. Because the
League of Nations was measurably
natural ally of the French status quo
policy Italy has been cold to it. Be-
cause the little entente was a French
creation, or perhaps more exactly
French combination, Italy has opposed
it.
Demands Parity With France.
In the same way Italy has cham
pioned British and American disarma-
ment projects because they seemed to
have disproportionate effect upon the
military establishments of France and
her allies. AT all conferences. too, she
had demanded naval parity with France.
In the present state of mind of Europe.
however, it is plain that a definite
Italian association with Germany could
precipitate a preventive war. And
Italy does not want war. although she
has been ready to profit by fear of war
in other countries which might lead
them to make concessions to her.
In the light of the wave of con-
demnation of NaZi Germany which is
now flooding Britain and even begin
ming to take form in the United States,
and in the face of the German purpose
to realize the Anschluss and thus ab-
sorb Austria, it is then possible that
Italy may now draw back from the Ger
man orbit. She has done that and she
may again. But she is only likely to
do it as she feels the decision of
British purpose
1t is clear that Americans should
henceforth be on notice that the con-
tinental situation has become danger
GUS, that an acute crisis has only given
way to chronic state of unrest, that
along the many frontiers of friction a
new incident can arise at any moment
and have almost incalculable conse-
quences. Under cover almost feverish
preparations will now continue in every
country which feels itself within the
track of the possible conflagration.
Errpnroor hoe horpy,n daft
nitely precarious.
Obviously, such a state of fc,ts is
going to initiate seriously against the
prospect of success in any international
economic conference. Nations which
are now using tariffs as a means of
waging struggle which they are not
yet prepared to take arms in, will be in
doubtful mood to consider adjustment
of duties and reciprocal concessions
When nations meet in international
conference there will be in the minds
of statesmen the clear perception that
they are facing prospective antagonists
in possible next war And action in
economic matters will be gravely in
f1uenced by political factors which must
outweigh them.
The truth is that the hope awakened
briefly last year by the success of the
appeared. Such hope as the arms con-
ference once inspired had grown thin
until Arthur Henderson rallied the
small nations. Behind the scenes the
peSSimiSm everywhere remains unmiS-
taxable. One more terrifying expert
ence has passed without Immediately
disastrous consequences, but nothing
has been done to remove the things
which made the crisis terrifying. And
a new crisis can easily be provoked
from one day to another. If it be true
that the atmosphere of 1914 has for
the moment been lightened, the resem-
blances to all the events between 1905
and 1914 still remain too impressive to
be overlooked.
Can United States Aid?
In the circumstances can the United
States do anything to contribute to
postponing or preventing new world
catastrophe? The question has been
asked of me frequently in recent weeks,
but it is hard to see how this country
can do anything in its present mood
The troubles are too deep-seated to BE-
removed by any such means as new
programs in disarmament or by any
projects of economic cooperation. The
fears and purposes which now sway
millions are too profound to be exer-
cised by any such device as the Kellogg
pact. even expanded into the Stimson
doctrine or reinforced by an arms en-
barge plan.
Europe is in a state of apprehension
fear and passion which makes all calm
and rational consultation well nigh i'm
possible. Armed nations are clinging
to their weapons, disarmed nations are
accumulating machinery for conflict.
Meantime not one single step has been
take in the direction of dealing with
the causes of the trouble, which are
territorial issues dividing peoples. and
while nations remain unreconciled over
these questions, all else IS beside the
mark. Thus while specifically the
situation has improved, fundamentally
it remains as dangerous as ever, and
SO long as American resolution to take
no risks continues, American interven-
ton can produce no results.