Evening star., 1933-12-15

Announcement from Premier Musso-
lini that Italy demands reform in the
League of Nations. and that unless
changes are made that country will fol-
low Japan and Germany in withdraw
ing, creates what appears to American
observers to be situation which men,
aces the life of the League. 1t is be-
ieved in this country that the Italian
leader will insist on separation of the
association of nations from the pro-
visions of the peace treaties. and it is
doubted that France will accept such a
change.
las far as the United States is con-
cerned." advises the Newark Evening
News. this is less propitious time for
interesting US iH membership in the
League than any time since 1919" OF
the general situation the Evening News
offers the judgment: 1T is Of striking
Importance that the movement is to
alter and not 10 abolish the League,
although it has many times been de-
clared dead. Th3 powers cling to it as
necessity and the evident aim is to
make it more comprehensive and eff
fective. The NEED of revamping be-
comes apparent as soon as the present
situation is frankly faced. With neither
the United States nor Russia repre-
SSAilSos I1AG GSuC 4ldS lISteI UG6It lIle
league of nations it was intended to
be. Whatever claim to be such league
it could have made at any time has
been shot by the participation of
Germany and Japan. Britain, France
and Italy are the only great powers in
active membership"
Still staggering" according to the
Roanoke World News, under the blows
to its prestige dealt by Japans defiance
in the Far East, the failure to bring
about peace between Bolivia and Para
quay in the Chaco, the withdrawal of
Japan and Germany and the continued
lack of interest," of the United States,
the League Of Nations is facing a very
crucial test indeed. The reply to Italy's
demand for reconstruction may mean
new life of increased influence" The
World-News, nevertheless, finds a
strong argument against the with
drawal Of Italy in the fact that she
would ALLEVIATE England, whom she
does not want to offend, and align her
self with Germany. while France would
strengthen ties with England"
"Mussolinis project" in the opinion
OF the Atlanta Journal, would draw
into one circle of cooperation the
powers that were divided under the old
diplomacy-Great Britain, France, Rus
s1a, Germany and Italy-would invite
the United States and Japan. Pre-
sumably, too, he would leave the way
open for a union of this idea with that
of the existing League. Whether such
an arrangement would prove, under
actual tests, any more workable than
the League appears very dubious. Yet
SO long as proposals are sincerely meant
to make stronger and more practicable
the agencies Of peace discussion of
them will be worth while"
THE membership in the League"
maintains the Fort Worth Star-Tele-
gram, "can correct all of the faults
within the organization at one meeting.
After passing q motion to admit the
United States a second motion could be
made and passed providing tor the ex-
ercise OF the covenant verbatim. Then
the gathering could adjourn. The for
eign relations departments of the 81
nation members could complete the re-
quirements for the Woodrow Wilson
ideal, Just as the dignity of truth is
lost by much protesting" so has the
League OF Nations been set at naught
by much diplomatic language by speak
ers with their fingers crossed. Uncross
those same fingers and the League of
Nations will function as it easily can"
If Italy withdraws, making four
great nations on the outside, and the
present tendency toward separate nego-
tiations continues" advises the Oak
land Tribune, "the League, with its
present structure, may find that, while
IT Is imposing In appearance, it is all
but hollow" The San Antonio Express
states that frances principal states
men declare their continued faith in
the League, but are willing to hear
suggestions for simplifying its oper-
ating methods" The Express points
cut that as the League. covenant
s.aESs i Is p.ass.callY an i,lsurmQu.lt /.