Evening star., 1933-10-14
The Threats to Peace.

There was no specific reference to
Geneva in the brief message on THE
Crisis In History" which President
Roosevelt broadcast to the Nation last
night. but the thought is inescapable
that he had in mind the highly critical
stage which has been reached in the
World Disarmament Conference, the fate
of which now hangs in the balance.
The President, indicating that the
"threats to the peace of the world" lie
among such people as still have i'm
perialistic desires for expansion and
domination in their minds or in their
hearts," emphasized that the people OF
the United States, by no conceivable
stretch Of the imagination, can be
placed in that category. "As nation"
MIR. Roosevelt declared, 1--WE are over
whelmingly against engaging in war.
AS a nation we are seeking no addi-
tional territory at the expense OF our
neighbors" And then, by way OF being
specific with respect to neighbors, the
Cuba as lands which the American peo-
pie do not seek to 'annex"-in whole
cor any part thereof" Mr.. Roosevelt
voiced the view that it is this complete
lack of a national desire for territorial
expansion which makes the rest of the
world begin to understand that the
United States is opposed to war"
The President stresses the American
will for peace at a psychological mo-
ment. Today's news from Europe-that
the German government has decided to
Withdraw from the League of Nations,
together with the Reich's remuneration
of further participation in the Disarm-
ament Conference-is an i'll omen for
the peace of Europe and the prospects
for disarmament. 1t can only denote
that the Germans, irked by the determi-
nation of their World War foes to keep
the Reich within the military shackles
of the Versailles treaty, have deter
mined to proceed in their own way as
to ornaments, entirely free of outside
dictation. 1t Is too early to forecast
the eventual political effects of that
grave decision in Berlin. That the i'm
mediate result will be to spread alarm
through Europe there is little doubt.
The Hitler leadership has filled the
German people with an exalted sense
of militant national consciousness. The
Nazis' amazing rise to power was due
in principal degree to their success IN
educating the German nation to believe
that Versailles imposed unjust and un-
bearable manacles upon strong and
proud people, and that the time has
come to liberate the Reich from re-
strictions and prohibitions which keep
the Fatherland from aspiring to its
legitimate "place in the SUM-"
President Roosevelt has dedicated the
United States anew to peace in the
world It is earnestly to be hoped that
he has spoken at time and in terms
designed to influence those elements in
Europe which may think the hour pro-
pitious for seeking to avenge their
grievances by fire and the sword.
Despite the spirit of militancy which
Is breathed by Germany's bolt from the
League-paralleling Japan's "walk-out'
on the Manchurian issue earlier in the
year-the Government and people of
the United States will continue to wish
that sane counsels will prevail at Ber-
lin and restrain the Hitler government
from steps that could lead to another
European catastrophe. The world is
still too stepped in its economic distress
to justify the luxury of more war.