Evening star., 1935-10-19
SANCTIONS CAUSE
MORE WAR ALARM
Conversations Over Fleets
in Mediterranean Similar
to Those of 1914.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


As Europe slowly drifts into the
dangerous waters of a world war by
the old system Of alliances, develop
ments abroad are causing more ap-
prehension here than generally ap-
pears on the surface.
The fear that economic sanctions
must inevitably produce war is grow
ing. The conversations that have
been going on between France and
England relative to what may hap
pen if an Italian fleet comes into con-
flict with British forces in the Medi-
terranean are not unlike the hurried
exchanges that occurred in 1914, when
it looked as if Belgian neutrality were
to be violated, and France turned to
England for assurances of aid.
The maneuvers whereby Austria is
getting closer to Italy are viewed here
as having some relationship to what
might happen later at Berlin. 1t may
turn out that Adolf Hitler holds the
key to the whole future situation be-
cause there is no embargo on NUM-
tions or supplies to Germany from
any country, and hence anything
shipped to Germany can be trans
shipped through Austria to Italy with
out in any way violating the sane
tions" of the League of Nations.
Essential German Step.
Germanys acquiescence in the en-
barge measures and her wholehearted
enforcement is an absolutely essential
step to the effectiveness of the League
OF Nations policy. Germany is just
now withdrawing from the League.
The demand that is coming from
some of the smaller nations that a
blockade be established against Italian
ports is necessarily an act Of war.
Up to now there has been nothing
resembling declaration of war from
any of the countries allied under the
Covenant Of the League.
A declaration Of war between the
principal countries of Europe and
Italy through the League would.
tragically enough. solve in part Amer
ica's dilemma. For then, under the
terms OF the present neutrality law.
it would become mandatory on the
President to proclaim an embargo on
all munitions and supplies to those
same European countries. American
trade. of course. would suffer. because
the British Empire would doubtless
be treated as a unit. and hence ex-
ports to Canada our largest customer
might be curtailed
Lately 1t has been suggested that
the definition Of economic sanctions
be enlarged to include basic articles
of supply. and it is hardly likely that
the United States Government would
permit such articles to be exported
to Italy and refuse to ban their ex-
port to the League Of Nations coun-
tries.
Possible Complications.
Complications would ensue If Amer
lean exporters were told they could
ship staple articles at their own risk.
1t would mean stopping American
vessels at sea and possible use of
submarines by one or the other of the
belligerents in the event that contra
band was being exported to an enemy
country.
There is encouragement in some
quarters here at the half hearted way
France has been represented as sup
porting the League Of Nations sane
tions, but American officials refrain
from discussing their own attitude
toward the problem of putting eco
nomic pressure on the belligerents-
Italy and Ethiopia. AS yet only i'm
plements Of war are banned for ex-
port, but If the British and French
and League members generally should
extend the list to basic articles of
supply. the problem of the Washing
ton Government will be to choose
between traditional rights to export
goods and acceptance of foreign die
tation Of what products American
farmers and manufacturers shall ship
out Of the United States to other
lands.
The hopes for peace are by means
extinguished. 1t is still considered
possible that Premier Mussolini may
bow to the idea of peace negotiations
and the African controversy settled
by some neutral commission. But
nowhere Is the prospect of danger
minimized as the pledges of mutual
aid and support are being exchanged
very much as they were in the fateful
months prior to August, 1914.
Copyright. 1881