Evening star., 1934-05-22
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A Ring Around Germany2

dispatches from European capitals
especially Paris, indicate that move
mentS are afoot for a far-reaching new
alignment of powers, bent upon the
enclrcling of Germany with a ring of
political and military force designed
to curb Nazi expansion plans.
Last weeks conference at Geneva
between Mr.. Litvinof and French For
eign Minister Barthou laid the founda-
tions for the reputed project. The
Soviet and France seek a series of
n-aggression or mutual assistance
pacts, the net result of which would
be to present a united European line
tip against Germany The combina-
ton would include the Little Entente
Italy, Great Britain, Poland and Tur-
key, and even the newly born Fascist
state Of Bulgaria. A condition prece-
dent, it is pointed out, would be the
recognition of the Soviet Union by
the Little Entente nations, as we'll as
the entry of the Soviet into the League
OF Nations. French diplomacy is now
at work to accomplish both of these
results
An Associated Press dispatch speaks
of the Isolation of Nazi Germany
in the middle of military alliance"
Germany. it is explained, would be
admitted to the proposed mutual as
sistance pact if she desired to join
it, but its purposes of protecting
existing European borders would be
accomplished regardless of the Nazi
governments attitude The Soviet'S
enthusiasm for the pretentious plan is
due to MoScoW'S desire to fortify the
Communist states European frontiers
SO that the Soviet, in case of con-
flict in the Far East. could concen-
trate its attention upon Japan. Freed
of anxiety in Europe, the Soviet thinks
it could hold its own in a clash
with the island empire.
Much water will flow beneath the
bridges of the Seine, the Spree, the
Rhine and the Volga before any
"circle of isolation" is drawn around
Germany. The idea has an ominouS
ring. Many Germans justified the
old Reich's right to go to war in
1914 on the ground that the Father
land was being "encircled." with a
view to its destruction, by group OF
powers led by France and Great Brit
ain.
Hitlerized Germany is known to
cherish the ambition to bring within
Berlins orbit some day all Of the
German peoples living in territory
fringing the Reich and to be dream
ing of the possibility of anneXing
them, if necessary, by force. That OF
itself is not a prospect to encourage
hope of peace and disarmament in
Europe. Germany's aspirations are
the main spring of the current move
nent to league 1.-The friends of France"
In an impregnable ring, but to give
that project the obvious purpose OF
hemming in Germany can easily
thwart the cause of European peace,
which it purports to serve. Old World
craftsmanship is sure to tread warily
before converting existing conditions,
perilous as they may be, into situa-
ton that might be far more danger
Gus than the one it is desired to i'm
prove.
Present maneuvers on the European
chessboard will revive interest in the
theory that a Germany ''ringed' in
Europe might seek an alliance with
Japan-a development that would be
of paramount importance to the
Soviet Union and which might ex-
plain Mr.. Litvinoff's sudden interest
in an entente cordiale with France
amounting to a revival of the pre-War
F'ranco-Russian alliance.