Evening star., 1935-01-13

circles and in the public mind, than
has been the case since the advent
of the Hitler regime in Germany
created an entirely new situation.
Many facts have contributed to the
change. There is marked decline
In the bellicose mood Of Nazi Ger
many. The failure of the campaign
against the independence Of Austria,
coupled with the more moderate note
of Hitler. the remarkable stand of
the Evangelical Church and the evi-
dences Of disruption in the extremist
Nazi position, has largely removed the
fear which prevailed throughout Eu-
rope a year ago. The new Franco
Italian agreements have greatly i'm
proved sentiment.
But much the most important in
huence in relieving the tension has
been the new life and vigor that
have come back to the League of Ma
tions.
The accession Of Russia to the
League, followed by the two swift sue
cesses Of Geneva in throwing oil on
the troubled waters Of the Saar and
the Hungarian-Jugoslav quarrel, were
great events in themselves, but far
more important In their repercussions
upon the public mind. It is, think,
true to say that the prestige of
Geneva stands higher today through
out Europe than it has stood since
the League came into being.
r + i +
1t Is in these circumstances of re-
covered confidence that the Council of
the League reassembled this week to
begin the tasks of what we may rea-
sonably hope will prove the most con-
structive year in the history of the
League. The omens are propitious.
II the Saar plebiscite Is accomplished.
as there Is every. expectation that 1t
will be, without serious mishap, and
Is speedily implemented by the League,
the way should be clear for what
should be one Of the major achieve
ments Of the year. mean the return
OF Germany to the League.
Europe wants Germany back yerv
urgently, and the evidences are pretty
clear that Hitler wishes to be back.
His internal problem is vastly different
from what 1t was when he made his
theatrical gesture at Geneva in No.
vember. 1888. and he Is finding an iso-
lationist policy in Europe increasingly
dificult. It was one thing to be out
OF step with the League when the
League seemed likely to fall to pieces:
1t Is an entirely different matter now
that the League is rehabilitated and
includes every country in Europe ex-
cept Germany.
Next to the problem Of Germany,
the capital issue of European rela-
tionShips has concerned France and
Italy, and the Laval-Mussolini agree.
ments have made important adjust
ments here. A subsidiary Of that
issue has been the bitter quarrel be-
tween the Little Entente, of which
France Is the patron, and Hungary,
which looks to Italy for support. II
that quarrel has been temporarily sup
pressed, the fact Is due mainly to the
action OF the League, but in large
measure also to the improved under
standing between France and Italy.
With Germany back In the League,
with the three great powers of West
ern Europe in tolerable accord, with
Britain playing the part Of the honest
broker In the background. and with
the League itself more representative
of the public sentiment Of Europe than
It has ever before been. the sky Of
Europe would be clearer than 1t has
been for 20 years. And It ID not IN ex.
trsvsgant optimism that 6ees these
gifts In the lap Of 1885.
(Copyrieht, 1o36,l