Evening star., 1934-05-01

American opinion as another Euro
pean disarmament conference assem-
bles Is not optimistic 1t is felt that
Frances attitude toward the German
demand for rearmament dims the
prospect OF agreement, and newspaper
comment discloses little hope that the
latest meeting will be more fruitful
than those which have gone before.
The general state Of European
finances" thinks the Huntington (W.
Va Herald-Advertiser. 'is the best
safeguard against another holocaust" :"
The Port Huron Times-Herald states:
Emphasis is distinctly laid upon the
desire OF each nation to be left alone
and to leave others alone to attend to
their own affairs. Germany, OF course.
is insistent upon the privilege Of
building up . military establishment,
but the figures indicate an extremely
moderate limit for q nation which once
was one Of the most formidable mill
tary nations In Europe"
The growing rivalry between Ger
many and France is q fostering sore Of
suspicion and distrust. disheartening
and menacing to peace" in the opin-
ion Of the Omaha World Herald, while
the Providence Bulletin feels that in
ternAtional chaos must come unless
some method is discovered of saving
Europe from the brink" The Mime
apolis Tribune Is convinced that ''col-
lapse Of the bilateral negotiations ON
arms limitation Is q serious threat to
political equilibrium in Europe"
The Winston-Salem Journal-Senti-
mel exclaims: Germany threatens.
Italy Is a powder mine. Right now it
looks as II anything might happen In
Europe despite the protest of the
ruling heads that peace Is desired. The
very gravity of the situation. how
ever, may serve the cause of peace If
the leaders in their desperation will
turn to the handbook of wisdom for
guidance. Failing that. they might at
least turn back the pages of memory"
War costs money" says the Fort
Worth Star-Telegram. "and no Euro
pean nation can afford one. The word
Is out that France Is in serious politi-
cal straits and the prophecy Is freely
expressed that its hold on a place
among the major powers is extremely
precarious. The reason Is the cost Of
the most elaborate system Of defenses
erected around its borders. French
citizens must pay that bill. When
taxes begin to mount up politics be-
gins to take on explosive Characters
tics. France is said to be in that
stage" The Nashville Tennesseean
adds that, "coincident with the pub
lication of the French note declaring
that the government finds 1t impos-
sible to sign any convention which win
'legalize the rearmament effected by
Germany In violation Of treaties It
was made known for the first time
that differences Of opinion existed
within the French cabinet"
"Rearmament activities" AYERS the
Indianapolis News, ARE not neces-
sarily indicative Of an impending war.
Veterans and children Of veterans
who engaged in the last war are not
yet ready to submit to further de-
struction. Rearmament, even among
nations that have exerted greatest ef-
forts TO obtain disarmament. indicates
rather social transition. 1t empha-
sizes the fact that the League of Ma
tions system of guaranteeing mutual
agreements against aggression has
failed to become an established insti-
tuition. The cause Of this failure Ii
not lack Of desire for peace, but lack
Of International epnhdenee and moral
unity"
The Atlanta Constitution expresses