Evening star., 1935-12-29

as secretary general Of the League a
little more than year ago, there
we're those who looked upon the ap-
pointment of Joseph Avenol. French
undersecretary. with misgivings Ave-
mol came in at crucial period. He
was ''unknown." Through deal
by which an EngliShman, Harold But
Ter, succeeded the French Albert
Thomas as head of the International
! Labor Office, Avenol became head Of
the League. In the past 18 months
Avenol has been tried and not found
wanting. He has steered the League
safely through its greatest crisis.
Whether or not he will be able to
bring the ship of state safely into port
remains to be seen. The year 1886
will tell.
League Goes Through Crisis.
| Utterly frank in discussing his job,
Avenol never has minced words in
evaluating the League. In an exclu-
sive statement given to the writer
some time ago he said:
THE League is passing through
crisis the seriousness of which We
should neither underestimate nor
ove-exaggerate. 1t is not the first
crisis which has confronted the
League nor will it be the last. 1t must
be frankly recognized that for the last
few years the uneven progress OF the
economic crisis and the profound
psychological effects of political revo-
lutions and experiment have rendered
any understanding among the great
powers on many matters - impos-
sible. It is to be regretted, but 1t Is
only natural that the great powers
particularly are unable to come to an
understanding In the face OF the
enormous and ever-increasing difficult
ties which beset them. But it is still
more to be regretted that the RESPONSE
bility for this impotence should be laid
at the door of the League.
The League is not and will not be
a panacea for all ills; there can be no
such thing. 1t is essential to realize,
however, that the alternative before
! the world is not choice between the
League and some better system OF
| international relations. 1t Is choice
between the League and almost COM
plete anarchy. All the experience Of
the last Is years has shown that it
would be absolutely impossible, If the
covenant ceased to exist, to refashion
any comparable form of international
| constitution.
First Practical Measure.
The essential thing about the con-
- ie
represents the first and only practical
measure which has been taken by
| the human race toward establishing
the rule of law In relations between
countries.
"If the covenant Is abandoned, we
are throwing the whole of human
progress In the sphere Of disarmament
international cooperation and world
peace) back for an incalculable period.
1.-THE world no longer resembles the
world of 1919. Under the influence OF
the crisis economic nationalism has
spread in various forms, but never
have the peoples of the world, at this
moment when they are most strongly
emphasizing their national life, been
SO anxious to justify themselves before
international public opinion. 1t Is q
consciousness of danger and need.
None can live an absolutely independ-
ent life. Each country has need Of
others and the problem Of the future
Is to get this fact not only recognized.
but introduced into the practical rela-
tions Of everyday life.
"The League is neither all-powerful
nor is it infallible. The only means 1t
has at its disposal are those which are
contributed by its members. But 10y
atty to its principles and win to OBJ
serve them are more likely to provide
a steadying influence through all the
problems which face the world today,
and problems which will always be
facing it, than any other proposition
| that I can conceive"