Evening star., 1934-09-03
The Soviet in the League.


Prospective entry of the Union of
Soviet Socialist Republics into the
League of Nations is the event now
riveting the political attention of
Europe. Weakened from the outset
by the abstention of both the Soviet
and the United States, and during the
past two years by the successive de-
fections of Japan and Germany, the
Geneva organization is naturally elat-
ed over the impending accession to
its membership Of Europe's largest
and most populous country.
The three powers which constitute
the Leagues principal props-Grest
Britain, France and Italy-were so
anxious to bring about the Soviet's
adhesion that they went the length
Of assuring the Moscow government
permanent seat on the Council
which directs Geneva's destinies and
controls its policies. Action looking
to the Soviets formal admission to
both Council and Assembly is ex-
pected when the annual September
sessions Of those bodies open this
week.
Addition Of the powerful Commu-
mist state to the roster of League
members is. Of vastly Misunderstanding
import than the mere numerical
strengthening Of the international
association. Nor Is Moscow's readi-
ness to join a mere move In Mr.
Iitvinoff's campaign to increase the
sum total of intimate contacts with
foreign powers which the Soviet has
acquired under his enterprising lead
ership. The relationship about to
be established between the Soviet and
the League Is new and positive link
in the chain of developments designed
to preserve peace both in Europe
and the Far East. 1t is Of correspond
ingly world wide significance.
With the Soviet in the League, and
especially as q member Of the Com-
Gil, Moscow will be In position to
call upon q united Europe, in the
event Of q Soviet-Japanese conflict
over Manchukuo or the Chinese East
ern Railway, to refrain from Offering
any sort of aid to the japanese. The
Soviet would even be on grounds, as
q League member, to ask Geneva
under Article 16 OF the covenant to
apply economic sanctions against
Toxic. While the League was loathe
to move in any such direction at
China's behest, preSent-day interna-
tional conditions and the greater
prestige of the Soviet would undoubt-
edly create q different atmosphere at
Geneva in case of new aggression in
the East.
1t is no less evident that the Soviet's
presence in the League will accentuste
the isolation of Germany. The Nazi
government will know thenceforward
that all Western and Eastern Europe
marches shoulder to shoulder at
Geneva for preservation of the terri
torial and political status quo and
that attempts by force to accomplish
the Reich's expansion in any direction
will be sternly resisted. Once upon a
time the Reich, in common with the
rest of the world, might have fancied
that it faced League which could
be f1outed at will. Geneva's impotence
in the Sino-Japanese conflict justified
such a view. Since then the menace
of Hitlerism has come along and gen.
Grated universal hostility to what it
represents. That France and the
Soviet between them, to say nothing
of the rest of Europe, could and would
swing the revamped League of Nations
into decisive action against Germany
can hardly be doubted.
America remains adsmant in It's un-
| willingness TO join the League, but
public opinion i'll this country never
theless will frankly rejoice If the
Soviet's membership tends to endow
Geneva with bone and sinew fol
peace ce-preserving purposes, which il
has hitherto lacked on critical oc-