Evening star., 1934-01-20
The Saar Problem.

Some time after January 10, 1885, the
8O0 900 inhabitants of the Saar coal
basin, formerly German soil, but since
the World War administered by the
League of Nations, will decide by
plebiScite whether they want a con-
tinuance of that rule in a semi
autonomous form, union with France
or a restoration to the sovereignty of
Germany
Although the choice is not to be made
for full year to come, the question
has injected itself into the turmoil OF
current European politics. 1t is the
principal issue before the League Coun-
ell now meeting in Geneva and has
developed acrimonious aspects. They
threaten to become so menacing that
the League is already considering the
advisability of patrolling the basin with
an international peace force, in order
to insure a fair pebiscite.
The League Council invited Germany
to join in current discussions concern
ing next years vote, but Berlin replied
that "for reasons Of principle 1t re-
gretted it must decline"-obviously a
hint that, having bolted the League on
the disarmament issue, the Reich
could not return to Geneva via the
side door of the Saar.
On Wednesday two organizations
he ~ y
ers and the Economic League-sub-
mitted at Geneva joint petition set
ting forth that reign Of Nazi terrorism
lis exercising intolerable pressure upon
the population to such an extent that
there can no longer be any question OF
any sort of freedom Of opinion" The
League was adjured that it will not be
fulfilling its task in the Saar unless it
takes steps without delay to end this
state of things.
Doubtless the Germans can produce
some evidence in rebuttal, designed to
prove that the French are not above
little electioneering in the Saar. too
That would be natural, as the stake is
worth fighting for The exclusive
rights of exploiting the Saar coal mines
were given to France by the treaty of
Versailles as compensation for destruc-
ton Of coal mines in the north of
France by the invading German army.
The basin is 1913 square miles in area.
It's potential yield Is estimated at l6,-
2500OO,000 tons a year, though the
actual annual production is greatly less
than that amount. In addition to coal,
the basins production Of steel and pig
iron is considerable.
Chancellor Hitler in public utter
ances during the past few months has
assumed, as a matter of course, that
the people of the Saar are only await
ing the opportunity to register their
overwhelming will to return to German
rule. but the representations Just made
to the League would indicate that the
Nazis are not really one hundred per
cent certain on that score and seek to
Tammany1ze the situation so that the
plebiscite cannot possibly turn out to
Germany's disadvantage. As Yer
sailles conveyed definite title in the
Saar's mineral riches to the French,
they are loath to see the basin repass
into German possession, whereby the
properties would have to be worked un-
der Nad political supervision.
1t is palpably a situation likely to
grow more delicate as the hour of de-
cision approaches. The League has
another tough nut to crack. The Saar
may easily become an issue on which
the peace Of Europe next Winter may
depend. Wars lover there" have been
spaWned out of smaller causes.