Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-05-26


ing fact which is given little promi-
hence either by irresponsible politi-
clans or the even responsible press
That is the determination of most gov
ernments, particularly those of great
Britain, France, and to a certain ex-
tent Russia and Italy, to preserve
peace.
Even Berlin, despite the maneuver-
1ngS of the Nazi regime, does not want
war-yet, if ever. But so long as
they can nibble away at the Versailles
treaty, and get what they want with
out too great risk, the NaziS will con-
tinue to rock the boat"
Just as Europe, back in 1914, was
prepared to go to war on almost any
preteXt, so today it is inclined to keep
peace at almost any price. Three
countries, it appears on the surface,
might fight. if the cards were stacked
in their favor and they were sure to
win.
Nazis Point But Wrongs"
Nazi Germany, if she thought she
could get by with it, would use force
to redress real or politically-imagined
wrongs. to blot out the Polish Cor
ridor, to regain Danzig and liberate
Memel, to incorporate in the Third
Reich Aryan-German populations in
Czechoslovakia, Eupen and Malmedy,
SchleisWig- Holstein and Austria S
Tyrol Berlin also has not given up
the idea Of an "anschluss" and return
of her colonies, although the present
government undoubtedly is sincere in
saying it has no territorial ambitions
In respect to AlSace-Lorraine
Italy would fight, and soon may get
an unhealthy dose of guerilla warfare
on the burning sands of Africa and
in the jungles of Abyss:uia. Mussolini
Is impatient to try out the highly
polished military machine he has been
building over the past decade. AL
though he claims the more than
100000 soldiers he has under arms
today are modified to preserve peace,
II Duce has never publicly disclaimed
his oft-enunciated doctrine that War
Is the crucible in which nations are
forged and is as necessary for the
highest development of man as child
birth is for women" Besides the
Fascists still have dreams of the
greatness that was once Rome"
Russia Still Smolders.
Soviet Russia is definitely lined up on
the side Of peace for both political
and economic reasons. But the Boil
shevistS have not abandoned their
goal of world revolution" and the
Third International, for the moment
in the background, still believes that
another world war would hasten the
downfall of the capitalist system. Only
through a general war would the
munists argue. What happened in
Germany under Karl Liebnecht and
Rosa Luxembourg could happen in
France. England and Maitland if the
Red leaders were given a chance.
In Great Britain the Left-wing
groups are growing and the Com
munist alliance is growing in many
countries. notably France, Belgium,
Spain, Switzerland and the Scandi-
navian countries. When one reads the
clandestine press which circulates
through underground channels in
Germany, Italy, Poland and Austria,
one realizes upon what shifting sands
their relationships are built.
The two countries which hold the
destiny of the Old World-barring I'M
forseen accidents-France and Great
Britain-are agreed upon one thing.
That Is, that they will not tolerate a
war at this moment. Where Germany,
Italy and Russia stand to gain some
thing in general con1agration, should
they be with the victors, France and
England have much to lose, even if
they win on the battlefield. They are
for the preservation of the status quo,
or its alteration through peaceful pro-
cedure. Since they hold the balance
OF power, and standing together are
1nvlnclble against almost any COM
bination except internal disintegration,
they can pretty well dictate the trend
of developments. That has been proved
time and time again in the past 10
months.
Several Tests Cited.
The assassination of King Alexan-
der and Foreign Minister Barthou was
o severe test, yet war was avoided.
The implication of Italy in the
Yanka Putza intrigues and the
smoldering Balkan situation were diff
flcult hurdles. Yet the Fascist's "cul-
pability' and refusal to surrender
Croat terroriSts, and Hungary's patent
guilt in harboring the Yanka Putza
colony was skillfully liquidated.
Resentment still fingers in Yugo-
slavia over Alexander's death, and the
French haven't forgiven the Italians
and Hungarians for the ''accidental'
killing of the aged Barthou. But the
incident wasn't worth war last Octo-
Der, as 1t would have been in 1914
The liquidation of the Austrian crisis
and the Saar plebiScite, as we'll as the
DanNg elections, are further proof
that the statesmen who run Downing
Street and the Quai d'Orsay have the
situation well in hand, without men,
tioning the policies which have been
followed in respect to the Nazi's bel
licose action In denouncing the dis
armament clauses of the Versailles
treaty.
1t should not be assumed, however.
that peace is by any means perpetual
or even temporarily certain condi-
ton. Accidents" can always happen,
even though there be definite will
for peace"
Exploded Theories Gain.
One disturbing factor to be consid-
cred Is growing acceptance Of two
exploded theories, namely, the pre-
ventative war" advocated by general
stats and militarists and the Will
sonian doctrine of a war to end
wars" The former needs no COM
ment; it will endure so long as pro-
fessional armies exist and ornaments
makers are tolerated In time of peace.
As for the latter unfortunate catch
phrase, fire will also destroy fire, but
in the end nothing remains, not even
fire War might conceivably destroy
the institution of war, but it is pretty
generally agreed that civilization, and
perhaps the human race, might well
be destroyed in the process. Water is
better all around for confiagrations
and reason is better for outlawing or
baniShing wars.
Nevertheless, were It not for the