Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1934-05-13

on us dSenQd some 2U-OQQ
Items. of which present delicate polit-
ical complications The rest deal with
routine matterS-budgetar and admin
iStratiVe questions, settlement of some
10000 Assyrians, who are no longer
wanted in MeSopotamia in Brazil or
some other out-of-the-way place,
assistance to Liberia, mandates,
minorities and social questions, etc.
The thorny problems deal with the
Saar plebiscite, the Paraguay Bolivia
and Colombia Peru quarrelS over the
Gran Chaco and Leticia regions
Off the record, however. and due
for negotiation behind the scenes, are
a number of highly important issues
which will be considered by the rep
resentatives of more than a score of
governments who will be in Geneva
this week. Although the League may
have fallen into diSrepute as a result
of the protracted economic and po-
litical crisis, Geneva still furnishes
meeting place for European states
men. The Council meetings give
them an excuse to get together for
more serious work. which, though in
formal in character, often proves
more important than prearranged
conferences.
The questions due for an airing at
Geneva this week include.
The Far Eastern political, situation
growing out of Foreign Minister
Hirota's recent Asia for Asiatics"
pronunciamento, which cuts straight
across the Leagues comprehensive
scheme for international reconstruc-
ton of China.
The future of the Conference for
Reduction and Limitation of Arma-
ments, which is in a state of suspense.
The Franco-German rearmament
deadlock and questions affecting the
Versailles treaty.
The Austrian problem and the new
Danubian set-up of MuSsolini.
Conditions for admission of Soviet
Russia into the League.
Formally Out.
Zach of the above questions Is high
ly important and replete with ramifi-
cations. Obviously they cannot be
discussed formally and officially be-
cause few governments are ready to
announce definite policies. The pri-
vate-and sometimes Secret-pour-
parlers which take place at Geneva,
however. are binding upon no one
and are intended primarily to Eek
plore the ground Once contacts have
been made it is easy for European
capitals to proceed, either in conjunc-
ton with one another or separately.
On nearly all of the above enumerat-
ed questions concerted action is de-
sirable.
Japan'S official reaffirmation of her
asia for ASiaticS' doctrine at the
very moment the League was prepar-
ing to discuss its future reconstruct
ton program, authorized by the EX-
traordinary Assembly of February.
1888, has muddied considerably Far
Eastern diplomatic waters. The Jap
anese have habit of acting at i'll
advised moments. The incident" of
Nukden. which preceded the creation
of Manchukuo, was timed for the 1881
Assembly and at the crucial point in
the preparatory disarmament nego-
tiations. How close it came to up
setting the Disarmament Conference,
which convened the following Feb
ruary, will be known only after the
nations still seeking to bring about a
convention have given up all hope
or succeeded despite the heavy odds
that were pitted against them. The
story of the famous twenty-one de-
mands was similar-they came when
Toxic thought the Western World was
not in position to protest.
Caught Unprepared.
r1;ro+o,e ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS co,III mot
have caught Geneva less prepared.
with the Balkan situation extremely
delicate because of Italian YugoSlaV
rivalries and Germany's ambitions to
Nazi-ize Austria: with the French fac
ing internal difficulties as well as eX-
ternal ones. which involve rebuilding
of their European alliances and
dealing with German rearmament;
with afcurrency war in the making
between England. the United States
and the gold bloc, and with trade
wars already raging fiercely. the Jap
aneSe have ample reason to believe
that no positive action will be taken
against them.
1t also happens that the League will
have to decide whether it shall rec
cmmend extension of its Chinese re-
construction program or its curtail-
ment. Had not the Hirota note been
issued it is probable that no ambi-
tious program would have been under
taken by the League at the moment.
Now the Council is faced with going
ahead despite difficulties or backing
down before japanese opposition. In
way Toxic has missed an oppor-
tunity Having exhausted every means
at its disposal peacefully to adjust the
Sino-Japanese controversy over Man.
Churia, the League was preparing
gracefully to accept the tait accomph.
De jure recognition of Hsinking was
not being considered. but the Con-
Sultative Committee, which is to meet
May IA to discuss postal. customs and
other problems arising out OF the new
status in the Far East, probably would
have recommended some sort of de
facto recognition. 1t could not have
done less. AS things now stand. how
ever, Toxic mas needlessly antagonized
London, Washington, The Hague and
Moscow and their reaction will be felt
through Geneva. The United States
Government will be officially repre-
sented both on the Consultative Com
mittee, which will deal with Man.
chuque problems, and the Council
Committee. which is to decide on in
ternational cooperation with China
in rehabilitation work.
Unpopularity Felt.
Another element, which the jap
anese should have known about, would
have played in their favor had they
not been overhasty. DR.. Louis Rajch-
mann, erstwhile director OF the
Leagues health section and now lad
visor" to T. V. Soong and the Chinese
Economic Council, is not overly pop
ular at the League. High officials
have been considerably irked over his
alleged political activities. The League
has enough troubles of its own with
out going out OF its way to collect
more, and the Orient hasn't been
pleasant going for the secretaTiat.
One official, because he exceeded his
i,o ha ~ y