The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-06-12
MONDAY. JUNE u. 1893.
LONDON FOG

THE world monetary and economic confer
ence opening in London today has the
twin distinction Of being the largest interna-
tional conference and probably - the
gloomest.
year ago, when it was projected hopes
for it were high. Even three months ago,
when President Roosevelt began his series of
direct conversations in Washington with for
elgn premiers and ministers, the chances of
partial success seemed good. Now, as the con-
ferees convene, the prediction in Washington
and in every European capital is that they will
fail
That does not mean they will accomplish
nothing. But results of the conference are
apt to be insignificant compared with it's orig
inal purposes and with the world problems
which it was to have solved
Explanation of this de1ation of conference
hopes is complex But in general terms. the
anticipated failure to achieve economic and
financial settlements will be due to unsolved
political problems. The international political
situation is more difficult now than at any
time since the World war-the latest four
power peace pact notwithstanding.
The only political improvements are in
Italy and Russia. Mussolini is less of war
threat than formerly. And Russias relations
with Europe, which periodically has plotted
Russian Intervention, are better
But two newer and larger menaces to world
peace and confidence have arisen. In Ger
many the mad Hitler is in power In the Far
East a militaristic Japan is out for conquest
Treaties are being smashed. Governments are
paredness.
After fifteen Years of international effort
and almost continuous armament conferences,
the possibility of effective disarmament is less
now than during the last decade.
All this, of course has stifened the ma
tionalistc and militarstic spirit of France
the top-dog of Europe.
Great Britain, whose Labor government Of
a few years ago was force for peace, now is
ruled by a divided, weak, and reactionary
Tory cabinet. 1t has aided japanese mill
tarism and blocked President Roosevelt's most
important peace move.
Though the United States has the most en-
lightened, liberal, and internationally minded
administration in years, the internal crisis
has prevented President Roosevelt from direct
Ing IOIelSH pOllCy as vigorously as ne OCner-
wise might have done.
Particularly, the necessity of maintaining
unity in congress for quick passage of much
essential emergency legislation for national re-
covery has restrained the President from fore
ing showdown with congress on the contro-
versial issues of tariffs and war debts
Under the circumstances, the administra-
tion's hands are tied at the world economic
conference more than it likes to admit, and the
foreign governments are skeptical of any
agreements which must face the firing squad
of hostile congress.
With the United States government thus
only half-free to provide leadership, with the
British Tory government frankly lacking in
initiative, with France intent on retaining ma
tional hegemony in Europe, and Japan in the
Far East, with Italy webbing between peace
and conquest with Germany under Hitler a
standing force of discord and distrust, the
atmosphere of the London conference is foggy
indeed.