Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1935-01-18
SPOTLIGHT :.S
ON THE
World Crisis
BY DONALD GLEASON
WAR ON UssR-
Italo-French Schemes
English-French Schemes
Nikolaieff and Latvia
Saar Arrangements

THE EUROPEAN crisis is be-
ginning to show the pattern which
will cause the next imperialist
war. The best indication OF this
is the agreement reached by Pi-
ere Laval, French foreign minis
ter, and Mussolini. This agree
ment between France and Italy
has three parts.
The first part is pact OF con-
sultation between the two coun-
tries. When any problem arises
over their European interests
they agree to consult with one
another.
The second part is pact OF
non-intervention which -guaran-
tees the independence of Austria.
1t also states that no party to
the agreement will interfere in
the foreign affairs OF any other
party This is to be signed by the
Little Entente and by Germany
If France and Italy can use
enough pressure.
THE THIRD PART is an agree
ment over the colonial conflicts
in Africa. Italy cedes part of Ly-
bia to France. In turn France
gives Italy a strip of land next to
Eritrea and 5000 shares of stock
in the French railroad to Adds
Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia.
The Italian residents in the
French colony OF Tunis are grant
ed continuation of their present
rights for ten years.
The meaning Of this agree
ment is now clear. France has
succeeded in isolating Germany
in western and central Europe.
BY her restrictions on imports
Germany has already renowned
her sea trade. But under capital
ism Germany has to find foreign
markets or completely collapse.
England and France do not
want Hitler to collapse because
that means Communism in Ger
many. Therefore they are going
to force Germany to expand at
the expense of the Soviet Un-
ion and in all probability they
will assist in this war against
the USSR.
Mussolini demanded price fol
this furthering of French ambi-
tions and the price is the right to
exploit Ethiopia. Already the
Italians have been fomenting
clashes on the border and now
with a joint interest in the rail-
road and new territory which en-
ables them to establish a military
base Ethiopia will be more Wig
orously attacked in spite OF its
protests to the League OF Ma
tiOnS.
A FURTHER indication Of
this attmept against the Soviet
Union is seen in the recent de-
velOpment linking Nikolaieff, the
assassin of Kirov, with George
w. Bisenieks, the Latvian consul
general at Leningrad. Nikolaiefi
admitted that he got financial aid
from a foreign embassy and the
Latvian one has just been re.
turned to his country. BY implica-
ton Germany is behind this sub
versive act of Latvia since Ger
many dominates the Baltic states
and the German press stated SO
vigorously that the assassination
was purely personal.
ANOTHER SET of maneuveri
to prop Hitler and push hin
against the Soviet Union is seen
in actions centering in the Saar
League of Nations does not have
to carry out the election man
date.
Again France is dickering with
Hitler.
The French will give him
the Saar at the price OF his
guarantee to cease troubling
western and central Europe.
The other half of the conspir.
acy against the USSR is in the
process of formulation. 1t con-
sists of an English agreement
with Japan.
IF ENGLAND can guarantees
Japan against an attack from the
west, Japan will be willing to
gamble on aggression in Siberia
simultaneously with the Europ'
can attack.
The difficulty in this plan is
the attitude of the United States
Some concessions to American i'm
perialism in the Orient will have
to be made by Japan If she hopes
to get U. S. assent.
These are the plans of the Inn
perialists to destroy the growing
power of the Soviet Union. To ac-
complish this purpose intended is
another thing.
In the first place, the imper-
ialist powers cannot trust one
another long enough to work
in unison.
Each one will scrap any agree