The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-04-19
OR WAR
RESTS ON NEXT
GERMAN MOVE
HitIer's Reaction to Edict OF
League May Decide
Europe'S Fate.
BY WILLIAM PHILIP SIMMs
ss,,,,.-uoward Tor.lrn Editor


WASHINGTON. April 1s.-The
eravest decision ever to confront
one man since Bonsparte decided
the issue Of peace or war in Europe
is up to Chancellor Hitler today.
Within less than 30 days of his
thunderbolt announcement that the
Reich had strapped the arms limi-
tation section of the Treaty Of Yer
sailles. the European nations almost
with one voice have hurled back an
equally thunderous mol"
Coming on top of the Anglo
French-Italian agreements at Stresa,
the action of the League Councu at
Geneva, in the opinion Of diplomats
here. brings the old world to its
most solemn hour since the last gun
cracked in 1918.
Geneva's stand is taken to mean
that the. major powers of Europe
have decided to put very definite
check on Germany's rearmament.
II she proceeds in disregard of the
red lights thus turned against her,
it is felt, the resulting situation will
be serious indeed.
Revision Held Possible
Chancellor Hitler. therefore, Is
seen as facing these aiternatives-to
defy the tentative coalition now
forming about Germany. and take
the consequences of the encircle-
ment thus brought about. or to &C
cept an invitation to meet with the
other powers, And with them pro-
coed peaceably to revise the hated
Treaty Of Versailles.
This revision is now held possible.
Great Britain. France ard Italy
have all signified a willingness to
that effect. They simply say revi-
sion must not be unilateral. 1t
must be done by agreement.
Great Britain is known to be
ready to 60 to any reasonable
lengths in support of Germany's de-
mand for new deal But this sup
port is entirely contingent upon
less belligerent attitude on the part
of the Nazi Fuehrer.
Faces Unique Opportunity
Nor is Britain alone among the
European powers in her willingness
to reach a live-and-let-live under
standing with Germany.
1A1f INac
terday called on Secretary Cordell
Hull 10 explain the guiding prin-
ciples of his countrys policy. While
Poland voted to rebuke Germanys
armament stand. she will not con-
slider projects which might make her
the battle-ground of Northeastern
Europe. She not only signed a nom
aggression pact with the Soviet
Union, but with Germany as well.
She wants to be friends with both.
PrecariouS though the present
situation appears. therefore, diplo-
matte observers here are convinced
Chancellor Hitler today faces an
opportunity such as seldom happens
in the lifetime of a statesman.
Neither Britain, France, Italy, the
Soviet Union nor any Of the rest of
Germany's neighbors want war,
they say.
Willing to Arbitrate
On the contrary all are willing to
make important concessions to pre-
vent it. Accordingly, Herr Hitler
could now drive an advantageous
bargain we're he to meet with them
in conference.
On the other hand, Britain, now
the key nation of Europe, is known
to be badly frightened over the
trend of affairs. German arma-
ments have proceeded beyond her
worst fears. Herr Hitler, too, gave
Sir John Simon a big scare in Ber-
lin, both by what he said and the
way he said it.
Britain is convinced only positive
action on the part of a united Eu-
rope can prevent war. She wants
Germany to come into the concert.