The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-05-29
IM.E.TracySays:

NTHILE it leaves many things to be desired,
w the four-power pact now pending in Eu-
rope is the kind of agreement which must be
adopted before the leading European nations
can expect worldwide cooperation.
The problem of peace hinges largely on their
ability to achieve workable accord Their in
herited prejudices and conflicting aims con-
stitute the rawest spot in modern civilization.
Some sort of guarantee that they can and will
live together tremendously is essential to all
larger measures of cooperation.
This pact of course, is little more than a
preliminary and experimental step. The very
fact that it is designed to run only ten years
shows clearly that those sponsoring it are not
at all sure of their ground.
That, however, should be regarded as an
indication of practically. Nothing short of
blind egotism would presume to solve the prob
lem of peace even in restricted areas, except
through the trial and error method
1t is by far the most complicated problem
that men ever have undertaken to solve. There
are no precedents by which to be guided and no
formulae that have been proved. Mistakes
not only must be conceded as possible, but rec
ognized as probable.
EUROPEAN statesmen are right in limiting
L. the time which this pact shall run. They are
right in subordinating it to other and previous
agreements. They are right in not making def
mite promises as to when or how the Versailles
treaty shall be revised, though the possibility
of its revision is admitted
If this pact is accepted, as now seems prob
able, the four great powers Of western Europe
logically can propose wider agreements and the
United States logically can enter into them.
But-and this is something which every enc
should remember-all pactS, treaties, and agree
ments finally are determined, not by what they
say but by the manner in which they are car
ried out For this simple reason, it is not only
wise, but necessary, to begin with smaller ones
The family of nations still is divided into
we'll defined groups. Until each group has proved
its willingness and ability to live without war,
nothing approXimating world peace is possible.
A way must be found to overcome those diff
ferences which specifically threaten Europe,
Asia, and the western hemisphere before any
thing like a reliable accord can be established
between or. among them.
1t would be waste of time for other nations
to attempt making binding agreements with
Europe until Europe has demonstrated its capa-
city to make binding agreements within its own
borders.
MOT only because Of its wealth and popula-
l Y tion but because of its far-hung colonial
possessions, Europe still is the center of western
civilization. 1t is divided center, however,
plagued with age-od traditions and jealousies.
In spite of its progress, it has been unable
to maintain peace for more than fifty years.
For the last five centuries, it has been the
worlds chronic stew-pot. Its philosophy OF in
ternational relations made the last great war
inevitable.
Until this condition shall have been changed,
it would be ridiculous for other countries to at
tempt the bringing about of world peace
That is what makes the pending four power
pact so important on the one hand, and so re-
assuring on the other. It represents about the
first definite workable plan of insuring Eu-
ropean peace, especially through such readjust-
ments as are necessary to heal the scars of war
and remove the handicaps of treaty which was
conceived amid the passions of war.