Evening star., 1933-02-21
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interest in the preservation of peace, a
tragedy may follow soon
In the Far East, the japanese have
unleashed all their forces; the counsels
of moderation of the japanese political
men have been overruled by the Japa-
neSe war lords and Japan is waging a
war today on China with the full reali-
cation that such war may bring about
a world conflict. She has def1ed the
League of Nations and prepared to defy
any nation which may try and interfere
with her imperialistic ambitions.
In Europe the situation is precarious,
1t seems that the whole European con-
tinent IS sitting on a volcano.
The French are worried lest the Ger
mans. the Italians and the other small
Ter nations which are dissatisfied With
the existing peace treaties may collab-
crate with the view Of abolishinig all
that has been done as a result of the
World War.
France is faced with dilemma either
of abandoning the Versailles treaty or
having to fight for its maintenance.
British Want Peace.
The British are strongly in favor
of peace in Europe but are not willing
TO support either the defeated nations
the obolition by force Of arms of the
war treaties.
But Britain has lost much of its
prestige In Europe and cannot force
her point of view, alone, in Europe.
Her peaceful COUNCILS are no longer
listened to-.
In South America two pairs of ma
tions are at war already and are re-
ported to have decided to do away with
the niceties of the Kellogg outlawry
of war treaty, and declare war openly
on each other.
Consequently the shadow Of war Is
cast over three continents.
Hitherto the British have been follow
ing a policy of uncertainty; the British
Tory idea of cooperation with Europe
was represented in the foreign once
by Sir John Simon and clashed with
the ideas of Ramsay Macdonald and
Stanley Baldwin, who advocate closer
relations with the United States. Mac
Donald's strength lies in the fact that
he no longer represents political party,
but the idea of the liberal minded
Englishmen.
Tension Follows Hesitant Policy.
AS long as the situation in the world
did not assume the present grave aspect,
the British diplomacy tried to reconcile
the policies of the Tories with those OF
the liberals and frequently played
Europe against America and vice versa
This was especially evident during the
18 months of negotiations at Geneva
In connection with the Far Eastern
crisis, when the British backed one day
the policies Of the American Govern
ment and later adopted an attitude
which led the japanese to believe tnat
Geneva would talk. but never act.
This hesitant policy led to the present
tension throughout the world WIFI
most of the major nations reaoy 10
lump at each others throat.
But the situation is especially dan
gerous in the Far East, where after
many months the British have finally
come to realize they have the same IN
terests as the United States.
A blockade of the Chinese ports north
of Hongkong appears an 1mmeolate
danger which would hurt British as
much as American commerce.
All these difficulties were discussed
bv the President ELECT with Sir Ronald
Lindsay before the latter left Wash
ingtcn to report to London the actual
frame of mind of the American Gov
ernment, the Congress and the Amer
ican people.
Lindsay's report to his government Is
said to have created powerful i'm
preston in the unemotiCnal British
cabinet.
Macdonald took advantage Of this
threatening world situation to convince
the other members of his cabinet that
! 20
the effects Of which are bound to be
felt severely both in the United States
and Great Britain. is to work in closer
harmony with America. His arguments
are reported to have prevailed in Lon
don.
Usual Procedure Overlooked.
Lindsay returned to the United States
and with an unprecedented haste went
to see the President-elect, although fol-
all intent and purpose he is still a pri-
vate citizen. But the situation Is sc
tense that the usual diplomatic protcol
| had to be for once overlooked.
| He acquainted Mr. Roosevelt with all
| that happened in Great Britain in the
| last few weeks, of the seriousness OF
| the world situation as it appears in
London, and OF the desirability of tight
| ening the relations between Great
| Britain and the United States.
There is no question, 1t Is stated In
we'll informed quarters, of an alliance
/ or even an entente" of the old-fash-
ioned type. There Is no question Of
any treaties or secret agreements being
made. 1t Is just a question of the
public men in the United States ano
Great Britain getting together to avert
| through their influence a world catas-
trophe, or, If this were too late, to devils