Evening star., 1933-03-28
Mussolini and Macdonald
Raise Hopes of War Delay

tWhile various sections Of Europe were
rushing in the direction Of violent con-
flict. Premier Macdonald of Great
Britain and Premier Mussolini Of Italy.
in the opinion of Americans, met and
formulated plans which served at least
to turn attention to the possibility of
checking the belligerency that has be-
come cause for fear of another war.
1t is held gratifying that the British
statesman chose the psychological mo-
ment for going abroad and that Musso-
lini stood out as stabilizing influence.
Quoting MacDonald's statement to
MUS olini, I'VE have no time to waste"
the Oakland Tribune suggests that what
said" was the fact that the British
haste to meet the Italian leader "and
that the greeting was so cordial" That
paper adds that the incident may lead
to some of the most vigorous peace
efforts that have been made in years"
The San Antonio Express voices the
thought that Great Britain and Italy
may exert restraining influence upon
Germany" and concludes: "A flve-year
truce in the armament competition now
burdening most European lands would
save great sums and help bring lasting
peace to the most troubled continent.
Some observers consider that the con-
versations at Rene opened better era,
in which the Kellogg BRAND anti-war
pact will be observed genuinely"
THE world takes its hat Off to Pre-
mier Macdonald and Dictator Musso-
lini" says the Charlotte Observer, for
getting together and avoiding what
threatened to become a major disaster
on the continent. The Disarmament
Conference was about to 60 on the
rocks when these two executives
reached an agreement for a drastic
arms reduction and allowed Germany
the right to an equitable defensive
force. 1t is apparent that the ground
is being broken now for a readjust-
ment Of the Versailles peace treaty
which must be brought about if Europe
is to have any continuing peace. The
rigid and unreasoning terms of that
pact have kept the mind of European
statesmen disturbed for the past decade
and more, and not until it Is revised
and there is written into it a fairer
spirit and juster provisions will the
war clouds lift from the continent"
Though he proposes only a five-to-ten
year political truce and arms holiday
says the Cleveland News. III Duce
hopes to assure peace to Europe for a
generation. Such thing may not be
impossible. If disputed points are
threshed out and all signatories even
fairly well satisfied before the agree
ment Is signed, it will hold for time
occur with marked regularity may be
expected. While the four-power pact,
which the nations are studying, Is re-
ferred to as an agreement within the
scope Of the League of Nations the
new alignment is meant in some re-
spects to supersede the League, as
Poland has pointed out. The League
has been lamentably weak in the Japa-
nese crisis. Italy and Britain and the
rest may have no intention of dabbling
in the affairs of the Orient, but they
will want those Of Europe placed on a
more secure basis. The remaining
moves in the plan to stabilize Europe
politically, in advance Of the Economic
Conference. are to get Germany into
line and secure the sanction Of Amer
lea. France thus far has approved
the proposals only 'in principle The
task In Germany admittedly Is heavy
one. the temper Of the people con-
sidered."
IAN emergency movement to call of
the war dogs" is the verdict Of the
Dayton Daily News, while the Provi-
dence journal. pointing out that "civili-
zation IS in no shape for another great
conflict" holds that intelligent states
men at every capital must put that
fact first of all in the diagnosis Of the
needs of the present day." The Hart
ford Times feels "it is hopeful sign
that negotiation and friendly contacts
are again taking major form in an
atmosphere which was rapidly breeding
dtstrust and fear"