Evening star., 1935-01-06

Basically, there need be no quarrel
between the Italians and the French.
The French don't covet any of the
Italian territory and the Italians have
never considered seriously the recon-
quest Of the Savoy province or Corsica.
The roD oper the nationality OF
the Italians liping in Tunis has
been settled, and the disputes ouer
some of the odses in the African
desert were disposed OF some time
ago.
Euen the argument oper ndudl
parity has lost its importance
since the Washington and the
London naval treaties haze been
thrown into the junk heap.
But the good relations between the
two countries are seriously handi-
capped by the fact that the French are
not willing to abandon their Yugoslav
allies and the Italians are standing by
Hungary, more out of spirit Of op-
position to the Yugoslavs than SYM
pathy for the Hungarians.
Deaths Prevent Compromise.
The tragic deaths of King Alexander
and Louis Barthou at MarSeille made
it impossible for the French gov
ernment to come to a showdown with
the Yugoslav government regarding
Frances responsibility toward that
country in case Of conflict between
Yugoslavia and Italy.
1t is probable that had Alexander
not been assassinated some compro-
mise would have been possible to in
clude Yugoslavia in an eventual agree
ment between France and Italy. Alex
ander had sufficient power with his
subjects to swing any kind of an agree
ment which was fair for his country.
But NTH Alerander,s death on
French territory and Uith the
Yugoslap government not being
sure how long it can surUiue q
compromise bet,Deen the SldUs and
the Italians appears impossible.
And France cannot afford today to
reach a really lasting agreement OF
friendship Uith Italy without losing
Yugoslauid's friendship.
Although the Laval-Mussolini meet
ing cannot yield positive results, the
Italian and the French diplomats
consider it essential. Had this visit
been postponed indefinitely there
would have been too much unfavor-
able Interpretation, and Europe can
not stand it in its present tense con-
ditions.
Saar Is Divided.
The small Saar population Is di-
vided into two groups: the NaZis and
the anti-Nazis. The former can be
easily recognized by their traditional
salute of raising their hand above the
head; the salute of the latter Is the
raising and shaking of the fist. The
Nazi shout is Hell Hitler" The anti
NaN shout is Down with Hitler"
When two groups meet there are
many broken heads and bleeding
noses, despite the presence of the in
ternationai police force.
The Swedish contingent of 200 men
is the most liked by both factions.
This Is the first time in 100 years
that Swedish troops have seen active
service outside the borders of their
own country.
The British contingent is the most
numbers. The British
war department is taking good care
of their men. They receive good pay
and good food. but the bachelors have
been warned not to marry any Saay
girls, under penalty of not obtaining
the usual marriage allowances and
quarters for their new wives.
Hopes ENJOYS Keep Well.
Foreign Ambassadors and Ministers
have received the best wishes of State
Department officials on the occasion
of the new year.
But none of the officials haze
been as ferUently sincere in their
wishes for the best OF health" as
Richard Southgate, the much liked
and able assistant chief of the
DiDision OF Protocol and pdllbearer
and mourner extraordinary and
plenipotentiary OF the department.
Southgate not only has to arrange
all the details of q funeral when q
foreign Ambassador dies in the United
States. but has also to accompany the
body wherever it is sent.
Last Summer he went to Belgium
on cruiser, escorting Ambassador
Paul Mays coffin, and a few weeks
ago went to Cuba on q destroyer
accompanying Ambassador Marques
Sterling's body.
Study In Contrasts.
White House diplomatic reception
Said lady from the non-diplomatic
group to her neighbor: Wouldn't that
man with the brown shirt sticking out
of his pants (meaning Gen. Burzine
the Soviet military attache) look mag
nificent If he wore the uniform the
little dark skinned fellow has?"
Burzine stands s feet ) inches.
His uniform is a broDn shirt, blue
breeches and no medals, insiontas
or braid.
The little fellow, o Latin American
diplomat, was all gold, sashes, ribbons
medals and fat.
Roosevelt Slow.
President Roosevelt Is about as slow
as President Taft In clearing the
handshaking crowd at the diplomatic
reception. It took him l hour and A
minutes to shake the hands Of some
1900 persons.
President Hoover was quicker. He
got through In the same time, but
cleared more than 1000 guests.
President Coolidge established q
speed record He shook the hands oi
SO persons every minute.
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