Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-05-09
INTERNATIONAL
NEWS REVIEW
Continued from Page ~

| his CONSUMPTION law, and the British
government did, for the sake OF ex-
pediency, join France and Italy in
protest, strengthened at Stresa and
eliminating in the League of Nations
councils condemnation of German re-
armament.
| But it was not until it was learned
last week that Germany is building
a new navy, including several very
modern submarines, that Great Brit
ain began to worry. Here was pos
sibility of serious competition on the
high seas, so it was very plainly said
in London that Britannia still rules
the waves" and most certainly will
not tolerate any German challenge.
Mastery of Air.
Also, it irked Great Britain to be
told that Germany either already has,
or is developing, an air corps which
is not inferior to that of Great Brit
ain; indeed, it was even said in Ber-
lin that the German air fleet is super
ior to "any combination of air fleets
which might attack U.S." This may
be boasting bluff. but at that, there
|
government means business in regard
to its air armament.
Now it is question whether Hit
Ter has acted with prudence in this
case. AS long as land ornaments
were under consideration, Great Brit
ain had a very strong tendency to side
with Germany, and to support the
German attitude toward other powers.
Everybody knew that the British par
ticipation in the FrancO-Italian pro-
tests was a merely half-hearted ges-
ture, and that the British government
actually thought German rearmament
justified.
But by his latest move Hitler has
jeopardized that very valuable friend
ship. and it may be doubtful now
whether the London government can
be persuaded to endorse anything that
Germany undertakes in the immediate
future. 1t may be doubtful, too.
whether Germany can afford to risk
the loss of British friendship.
New Alliance.
While Germany, in measure, has
antagonized Great Britain-with the
possible result that the latter power
may take part in the movement to
encircle Germany-France and Rus
STA are preparing actively to make
harmless any form of rearmament
which Hitler may be contemplating.
For these two powers have, after
long and arduous negotiations tenta-
lively signed a treaty of alliance, and
today or tomorrow Pierre Laval.
French foreign minister, is expected
at Moscow where the treaty is to be
formally and definitely signed.
1t may be questioned which is
the greater menace to world peace
German rearmament or the Franco
Russian treaty. When one recalls the
terrible World-war consequences Of
the last Franco-Russian pact, one
feels like preferring German rearm-
ament as the lesser of two evils.
What 1t Provides.
Although the official text Of the
new treaty will not be available until
after the final signatures have been
affixed, its principal stipulations are
already known. The two powers agree
v,
economic and financial way in case
of IAN unprovOked aggression on the
part of any European state" That
means, in effect, that no matter how
France or Russia may be dragged
into a new war, they villas great
powers have always dOne-sO twist
things around that even their own
offensive warfare may be interpreted
as "unprovoked aggression on the
part" of somebody else.
conference of the general staffs
Of the French and the Russian armies
is to take place soon, and plans for
joint defense" to be discussed.
Also, France is to contribute about
1857 100000 to the building of new
railroads from interior Russian points
to cities on the western border Of Rus
STA Such railroad construction takes
place in the expectation Of war. That
is not denied anywhere.
Safeguards.
Russia does not want to be mixed
up in French wars in North Africa;
France prefers to be kept out OF pos
sible Russian conflicts in Asia, so the
treaty provides expressly that it can
be applied only to Europe. Also. 1t
becomes effective only in case the
League of Nations council cannot
peacefully settle dispute; when such
a negative result is manifest, France
and Russia can move, and since they
both are permanent members Of the
League council they may, if they are
so minded, stop any attempt to pre-
vent war, for the councils decisions
require unanimity. In other words.
II France and Russia find the moment
for a war opportune, they can have
their war at any time they want it,
for under their new treaty there is.
as a matter of practical fact, nothing
that effectually restraints them. Ev-
cry yet known word Of the treaty
has for it's aim the safeguarding OF
int