Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-04
Europe's Fateful Hour.


At psychological moment. the United
States has made an effective contribu-
ton to today's critical meeting OF the
League Council at Geneva. AS the re-
suit of pressure by the State Depart
ment, the Standard Vacuum Oil Co.,
which turns out to be the owner OF the
vast Ethiopian oil concession recently
granted by Emperor Halle Selassie, has
decided to cancel the deal. Action to
that end ensued upon representations
by Secretary Hull that the concession
had been the cause of great embarraSs-
ment, not only to the American Gov
eminent, but to other governments who
are making strenuous and sincere Ell
forts for the preservation Of peace"
The oil company was informed that lin
the circumstances it was highly desir-
able that the earliest possible steps
should be taken to terminate the trans
action"
This dramatic development, literally
on the eve of the League proceedings,
clears the air in a manner designed to
promote a solution of the Italo-Ethio-
plan controversy, though it does not, of
course, go to the root of that menace
to peace. The conciliatory efforts of
Great Britain will be strengthened, be-
cause that country can no longer be
charged by Italy with pursuing surrep-
81, IN,
The situation at Geneva now reverts
to the clean-cut previous question. The
League has to decide whether the
worlds peaceful aspirations or the war
like ambitions of Mussolini shall pre-
vail. Far more Is at stake than war
in Africa or the fate of Ethiopia. The
peace of Europe is in jeopardy, because
Of the conditions and croSs-currentS in
volved in an ItaloEthiopian conflict.
Should complications in Europe ensue.
the history of events between 1914 and
1918 is here to teach us that another
world conflagration would be the almost
inescapable consequence.
The League powers may be relied
upon to strain every effort to justify
its existence as a peace-preserving
agency. After GenevaS failure to
thwart the japanese in Manchuria and
prevent war between Paraguay and
Bolivia its prestige could hardly survive
its inability to stop an Italo- Ethiopian
conflict. If the League cannot avert
such hostilities 1t might as well write
fms to it's international usefulness.
If matters reach the point of brand
ing Italy an aggreSsor in Ethiopia thus
calling for League sanctions" under
the Covenant, Mussolini will undoubt-
eddy bolt from Geneva, as Japan and
Germany did under other circumstances,
leaving the League a mere shadow of
its former self. II Duce has said that
sanctions will mean war" He has
Numbered that Italy means to have her
way in Ethiopia with Geneva, without
Geneva or against Geneva" He has
rejected Anglo French proposals to give
the Italians full sway in Ethiopia short
VI POLIlCdl dIlQ llllltdTy COnITOl.
The Fascist dictator is apparently de-
termined upon conquest and glory, mind
less Of the terrific risks he runs should
his adventure turn out disastrously or
prove more costly than anticipated.
The world therefore awaits develop
ments with justifiable anxiety. The
hour has come when the European
powers-conspicuously Great Britain
and France-must demonstrate whether
they are prepared to employ their pre-
ponderant strength to vindicate the
League principle of collective action to
prevent war or will allow it to be vio-
lated by military despot lustful for
ACKNOWLEDGMENT in defiance of the
worlds demand for peace and a cove
nanted pledge not to break 1t. That is
the issue now facing decision at Geneva
II cannot be lodged