Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-22
1914 and 1885.

Il
Just a little more than twenty-one
years ago the people of this country
were watching with interest and with
some concern the outcome of the as
sassination of the Grand Duke Ferdi-
nand of Austria by Serb at SeraleVo'
1t was generally believed that there
would be no graver outcome from that
crime than a conflict between Austria
and Serbia, though it was recognized
that there were complications and inter-
national iealousies and rlvalrleS that
might fame into general conlnct III
Europe. There was no mechanism Tor
the pacific settlement OF disputes be-
tween nations save that which was set
I'D in the emergency of the issue. Dur
ing the last two weeks of July, 1914,
events marched in accelerated pace TO
bring about the greatest catastrophe IN
human history.
Today there is a similar menace IN
Europe. Two of the great powers are
making Warlke moves in consequence
of a dispute between one OF them and
an insignificant African nation. Indeed,
there has been no sudden happening, no
tragedy. no definite breach Of the peace
to precipitate even the lesser conflict
out of which it is now feared may grow
the greater one. Judged lmpartlalIy'
Italy has no cause of war with Ethiopia
other than that of domestic needs Tor
expansion, for colonial territory ana to
cause distraction at home from an in
creasingly difficult economic stress. To
one of the other nations, in particular
Great Britain, this move for the con-
quest of Ethiopia upon the f1lInSy ground
of revenge for the humiliation OF Adowa
Is a political menace, inasmuch as 1t, II
successful, may gravely affect British
prestige and interest in Egypt and the
Sudan, as well as in the control, which
England now virtually possesses, OF the
Suez waterway to Asia.
Great Britain is now making a Demon
stration of naval power in the Medi-
terranean. Italy resents this move as
a provocation of war. Great Britain
denies any such purpose, and declares
that the movement is only one OF de-
fense Meanwhile an almost unanimous
alignment Of the powers OF europe
against the Italian program has oeen
effected. The League of Nations Coun-
Gil has endeavored to avert even a
localized war, and as the new week
begins there remains a hope that
formula of adjustment may be found
that would be acceptable to Italy as II
will presumably be to Ethiopia.
There remains one last remedy, but
that is a punitive one and not pre-
yentiye, If in final rejection of the
peace and arbitration proposals OF the
League Italy should proceed with war
the penalty of sanctions" may be ap-
piled to the offending power, constl-
tuting a virtual boycott, which, unless
weakened by defectionS, would soon
cripple the warmaking resources OF
italy and render its retirement from
the adventure imperative.
This coming week will probably see
the issue joined. 1t may witness the
virtual collapse Of Italy's plan OF con-
quest in Africa, which would concelv-
ably have most disastrous effect at
home. 1t may, on the other hand, wit
ness defiance by Italy of the League
and its member nations now united in
opposition to the Italian venture with
the peace of Europe hanging upon the
thread of some chance incident. Or 1t
NAV see the setting up of an arbitral
organization to study the whole ques-
ton and seek solution short OF war.
Time is a vital factor in this case.
Mussolini has sent over to Eritrea ana
to Libya great numbers of troops and
vast quantities of supplies. He has spent
enormous sums in war preparations ana
in equipment of every sort. He has
scheduled these moves carefully to be
ready to strike his blow against Halle
Selassie at the most propitiouS moment,
which is the ending OF the rainy sea-
son, not many days hence. His great
war engine is in gear, and he has evoked
an impetuous spirit among his people
to demand that it be sent forward into
action.
Twenty -one years ago and today! A
war has been fought which was supposed
to end war. Today war is menaced
despite all the plans and schemes and
contrivances for the adjustment of in
ternational difficulties on the basis OF
reason and justice and peace. And the
factors of greatest menace are those
that resulted from the peace treaty
which closed the Great War.