Evening star., 1935-04-24

japanese war department. Foreign
warships. they say. are always a
menace to the national defense be-
cause they can obtain through their
men ashore information which other
wise would not be easily available.
Thus. a genuine goodwill gesture,
beneficial to the stricken population,
Is being turned down because the Toxic
government wants to keep concealed
military secrets" already known by
all who have an interest in them.
The reason Why the Sopiet-
French military allidnce-pact OF
mutual assistance. as it is called
in modern diplomatic language
is being delayed is that the French
government has begun to realize
that Mosco1D Uants to push things
against Germany much more
quicker than Paris and London de-
sire.
This is the present situation in Eu-
rope in a nutshell. The British are
willing to 60 to any length, provided
another war is averted. They are con-
vinced that Hitler. like Mussolini in
his early days. will calm down and
will be brought into the concert of
European nations as soon as he has
let out enough steam.
The British foreign Office is warn
ing Paris to go slowly with their new
and dangerous ally"
kF&
Premier Flandin and Foreign Min
lister Laval are of two minds. They
are both suspicious and distrustful
of Germany There is no difference
of opinion as far as Hitler is con-
whether it would be better to follow
the dilatory policy of Great Britain
and let the Germans precipitate a
crisis or follow the impulsive policy
Of the Soviets, who believe that the
matter between Germany and the
rest of Europe ought to be settled
right away by hitting Germany before
she becomes a real military power.
The question is controversial
and is being discussed in all its
aspects by the French diplomats.
They still beliepe that Great Brit
ain is the best bet for France and
for her soldiers, tpho are looking
at the problem from purely mill
tdry vieWpotnt and beiieDe in the
Russian "strong" method.
The real point of issue is the dis
trust of these European powers of the
Soviet government.
The British, while superficially
friendly toward the Moscow admins
tration, distrusts its ultimate aims.
Capt. Eden has come back from Mos
cow impressed by the Russian mill
tary organization and the new spirit
of nationalism which prevails through
out the country. But he realizes that
Soviet Russia has buried most OF the
Trotsky theories and is following, in
its international policies, the idea Of
the Czars-expansion toward the
East. The British are convinced that
the eyes of the Bolshevist government
are turned toward India just as much
as they were in the old days Of the
despotic emperors. Hence, the British
government is not too much concerned
over possible German-Soviet con-
f1ict which would weaken both coun-
tries to the advantage Of Great Brit
ain and France.
\ X
The French, or at least an impor-
tant section Of the French national
lists. never have approved this new
Franco Russian Irritation. They fear
that despite the assurances Of friend
ship from Moscow. the leaders Of the
Third Internationale will continue the
communist propaganda and under the
present economic circumstances of
France such q propaganda might bear
fruit. The Moscow government. they
say, has nothing to lose from another
war
II another European tuar ends
In disaster. the nert peace mill be
dictated by committee sot soldiers
and workers and the ,Dorld repo-