Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-06


The Italians have whip hand and
are talking plainly to the British
and the French. When accused of
starting another world war, they
reply, And whose fault is it?" The
answer they give Is that the greed
for more land on the part of Great
Britain and France after the last
World War has forced Italy in to-
days position.
italian diplomats illustrate their
point of view by the following parable
In smart restaurant providing
the most choice foods, Great Britain
and France were sitting at the table
alone, eating and drinking the best
that was obtainable. In a corner was
Italy, eating a meager dish of soup
Said the British to the head waiter,
the League of Nations: Kick that
fellow out, he makes a noise when
eating soup and that disturbs my
digestion"
Outside. peering through the win
dow, stood hungry Germany-hungry
for more land. Said the Frenchman
to the same obsequious head waiter:
Chase that fellow away, he looks
starved and dangerous, 1 am afraid
that he may be packing a gun and
use it when he sees us having so
much to eat"
The French realize the mistake that
has been made in the redistribution
of colonies after the World War, and
are now trying-too late-to remedy it.
At Geneva Laval is empowered by
his government to do all he can to
avoid war in Ethiopia-provided he
does not join the British in their de-
mand for sanctions. He has suggested
to Capt. Eden, in private, redistribu-
ton Of the colonial territories and a
more equitable ALLEGATION of the exist
ing raw materials throughout the
world.
X X y
1t has dawned upon the French,
reports from Geneva say, that the
treaty of Versailles is not all it should
be, and that Germany and Italy might
be invited to share in the colonial
empire Of the world.
1t is easy to understand the French
point of view at the present.
For years they have been adamant
to any change in that treaty, which
was considered by all French govern
ments as sacrosanct.
But since, mainly through the
efforts Of the British government, the
sections which interested France most
the reparations and the disarma-
ment of Germany-have been aban-
doned, that treaty has become of little
interest to France.
Since the French government has
been forced by the British to accept
changes in matters consid-
cred vital by the French people, there
is no reason. says Laval, why the
British should not make some sacri-
fees "for the good of the world" as
France has already made.
But this time London is adamant.
The sentiment that the British gov
eminent canot give away an inch Of
the British empire" Is very strong.
Any British government which may
have the temerity of making such
territorial concessions would be swept
out Of Office by popular sentiment.
And new elections in Great Britain
are around the corner now.
While diplomats at Geneva con.
tinue to talk, the British government,
fully aware of the complications
which might result from the Italo-
Ethiopian war. is strengthening its
military position. Great Britain Is
more on the alert today than it was
in July, 1914.
X
Preliminary work has begun for
the construction of an airbase at
Fanling, on the leased Chinese ter
ritory opposite Hongkcng.
SubpoStmasters throughout the