Evening star., 1934-04-01
SOVIET MAYG GET
BID TO LEAGUE
SWitzerIand's 'WarIess Rev.
oIution' May Break
= Down Barriers.
BY the Associated Press.

| BY the Associated Press.
Switzerlands "warleSs revolution,
which is making over the conserva-
tive government. may lead to sovie,
Russia's entrance into the League Of
Nations.
The battle of the Swiss Federal
Council to retain the gold standard
and the designations of the minister
of finance and the minister of defense
because of the popular criticism OF
their policies are symptomatic of the
unrest which has spread over the
Swiss Alps.
Countries which have been conser-
vative are going liberal and countries
which were liberal are going conserva-
tive. Whatever the complexion OF the
governments seems to be, the public
seems to want something else. Fas-
cists and Socialists alike are having
their day.
Switzerland has been the stanchest
critic of Soviet Russia among the
European nations which have with
held recognition from the Moscow
regime. Belgium, the Netherlands
and Denmark are the other important
powers which have held aloof from
Stains government.
Assassination Brings Feud.
The feud between Switzerland and
Soviet Russia dates from the aSsas-
sination of M. Vorozsky. the Soviet
delegate to the Lausanne Turkish
conferences in 1923, and the failure
of Swiss courts to inflict heavy pun
ishment on the murderer.
Relations were broken off because
of the controversy. Litvinoff, the
Soviet commissar for foreign affairs.
and other high officials in Moscow
have lost few opportunities to de-
nounce Switzerland and the failure
of its government to provide ade-
quate protection of foreigners attend
ing international conferences there.
A large section of the Swiss press
has been bitter in it's criticism of
Soviet Russia and has blamed the
Third Internationale for disorders and
riots which have taken place in the
larger industrial centers of the fed
Grafton. Yet, as the effects OF the
world depression became more oppres-
sive on Swiss industries. the larger
cities have continued to vote more
and more to the left.
Efforts Intensified.
With Germany and Japan out OF the
League of Nations. the efforts of re-
naming important powers to get So
Wet Russia and the United States into
the league have been intensified.
Threats of Italy to withdraw unless
some satisfactory arms agreement be
reached have made the situation more
desperate. A league with only Great
Britain. France and lesser powers as
members is unthinkable.
Soviet Russia, spanning both Eu-
rope and Asia, controlling over one
sixth of the worlds area. and with a
larger defense force than any other
single nation. is indispensable to any
enduring disarmament agreement.
Unless Switzerland, Belgium. the
Netherlands and Denmark agree. II
will be impossible for the present
movement to enroll Soviet Russia in
the League. Feelers at Moscow have
brought forth noncommittal state
ments from the Stain government, but
since the withdrawal of Germany and
Japan, of1icials of the Soviet Union
have lent a more attentive ear to over
lures from Geneva.
Switzerland Is KEY.
Switzerland is the kew to the situa-
ton. but the opinion prevails in dip
lomatic circles that the Bern govern
ment will not block Soviet Russia's ad-
mission. Such position even might
revive the suggestion once discussed
rather generally in Europe that the
League should be moved from Geneva
to some other country.
Vienna was at one time mentioned
as a place where the League might be
housed more satisfactorily than at
Geneva. But the political upsets in
Austria and the rise of Hitlerism with
threats of the union of Austria and
Germany have silenced advocates of
moving the League headquarters.
Soviet Russia has continued its par
ticipation in disarmament meetings in
Geneva in spite of its feeling against
the Swiss government. but there have
been frequent irritations. While Swiss
officials have not disturbed important
members of Soviet delegations. they
repeatedly have searched the quarters
of lesser members
Karl Radek. one of Russia's chief
publicists. was denied permission by
Switzerland to attend the meeting Of
the Disarmament Conference last year
as a journalist, but the Soviet gov
ernment made him member of its
delegation and he gained admission to
Switzerland on diplomatic passport.