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

ganlzatiOn. Events in the Far East
and Germany are the reason. At the
moment both France and England are
inclined to smooth the way for Mos
cows admission. The terms" laid
down by the Soviets earlier this year
have been considerably modified. They
no longer demand de jure recognition
from all other members of the
League nor even acceptance of their
Mons aggression treaties or definition
of "aggreSsor" nations. The only
thing Moscow wants now is that IL be
formally invited by the Assembly to
become a member and that it be given
permanent seat on the Council
With two of the permanent seats
vacant-thoSe of Germany and Japan
there will be no difficulty on the
latter score. There are two prece-
dents for issuing formal invitation
to Russia. Both Spain and Mexico
were asked to come to Geneva.
The possibility of Russia being ad-
mitted into the League as counter
attack against Japan and Germany,
is causing some opposition. No one
doubts but that RusSia's sole motive
in seeking membership is to secure
additional guarantees against two
potential enemies. But since almost
every other member of the League
has material reasons for its affilia-
ton Russia cannot be criticized too
severely for using the League as an
instrument of national policy"
The discussions on this question
will continue until Foreign Commits
sar Litvinoff arrives later in May to
attend the general commission of the
Disarmament Conference. Meanwhile
the petite entente and Council men,
bers will reach an agreement amongst
themselves.
Disarmament Deadlock.
AS the Council opens the disarma-
ment deadlock continues unbroken
If anything matters have gone from
bad to worse France, six weeks ago
isolated because of her intransigeant
attitude regarding Germany, has i'm
proved her position as a result of
Foreign Minister Barthou's swing
through Central Europe The canny
veteran of Doumergue's national cab
met seems to have brought Warsaw
and Prague back into the fold Ger
many's aerial defense program has
disturbed the British and the Italians
are not at all satisfied with the south
ward drive of the NaZis.
Although playing lone hand
France will surely have the Scandi-
navian, Baltic and most neutral coun-
tries behind her in her demand for
security" as a price of disarma-
ment treaty. The NaZis. either in
tentionally or unintentionally, hurt
their cause when they encouraged
Nazi activities in Sweden, Holland
and the Baltic countries Their
policy in Austria and Hungary also
has been premature. while the
Deutsches front in the Saar has
leSsened their chances of peaceful re-
association of that territory with the
fatherland.'
All of which developments have re-
acted adversely on the disarmament
question. The majority of govern
mentS participating in the diSarma-
ment discussions are now ready to
accept the French thesis: Limitation
Of ornaments for non-Versailles states
and strict control OF any rearmament
granted TO Germany, Austria, Hun
gary or Bulgaria.
Austria-Whither Bound?
Italian intriguing in the Adriatic
and Danubian regions, while it has
gone unchallenged, has not served to
ease the European situation There
are statesmen who predict that Rome
when the time is propituous, will
emulate the japanese and pronounce
an Italian sphere" doctrine. Already
Italy's eyes have been directed to-
ward Africa and Asia Minor. The
Balkan pact was direct reaction to
Mussolinian ambitions. Turkey is ap-
prehensive despite assurances from
Rome that the Italians plan no en-
croachment in their direction. Abys-
sinia is looking to Japan for aid.
The Yugoslavs-who form the Sec
ond most powerful angle of the
petite entente-are openly flirting
with Hitler Germany. The under
standing between Belgrade and Ber-
lin that neither will tolerate restora-
ton of the Hapshurgs in Austria, is
significant. Frances indifference to
monarchist schemes in Vienna and
Budapest, and her seeming acqui-
escence to Rome'S anti-NaZi policy
in regard to the Dollfuss regime
has alienated Belgrade Recently,
however, Edouard Benes Czecho-
slovakian foreign minister, has been
seeking to reinforce the Franco-petite
entente cordiale and the forthcoming
discussions at Geneva may have an
important bearing on the future poll
cies of both Germany and Italy in
the Balkans. Frances position in
European affairs has undergone i'm
portant changes since Brands death
and Barthou probably will take heroic
measures to rehabilitate Quai dor
says role.
Budgetary and administrative ques-
lions will occupy a good deal of the
Councils time. Financially the League
is in bad way due to the failure of
many members to pay their dues and
the depreciation of the dollar and
pound sterling. To date only about
30 per cent of the anticipated revenue
for the 1884 fiscal year has been
paid. China is delinquent to the tune
of more than 100000 gold francs.
A host of South American and Latin
American countries have forgotten the
Leagues treasurer and the Germans
have shown no indication to exclude
the League from their moratorium. "
Since the health section of the
League depends almost entirely upon
the Rockefeller Foundation for its
funds it finds its working capital re-
duced by 40 per cent due to the dol
lars depreciation. Now it learns that
instead of the original s134,000 it
has received annually it will get only
100000. The "Milbank Memorial
Fund" an American philanthropy,
has offered $4,000 for special pur-
poses and the Council will authorize
acceptance of the gift.
Reports of the Opium Advisory
Committee, the mandates commits
sion, the Advisory Committee for the
Protection of Women and Children
and the Financial and Economic