The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-12-26
BIG WARS FOR LITTLE?

Tg~HE European explosion, which SO many feared
L. might come result of the italian Ethiopian
conflict, is now far too grim possibility Tor COM
fort To be blind to that is to be blind indeed.
The resignation of Sir Samuel Hoare, British for
eign minister and the cabinet crises OF London ana
Paris are mere surface rippes beneath which inter-
national cross-currents and undertows running
violently.
When Sir Samuel told the House of Commons
that fear of new world war beginning with COLI
sion between Italy and Britain. lay behind the
Anglo-French peace proposals, he was using no fig
ure of speech. Nor he merely dangling buga-
boo before his hearers to bolster up his own defense
We certainly hold no brief for his famous
peace plan. 1t smacked unpleasanty of brides to an
aggressor. But widespread impression to the con-
trary Notwithstanding, it was prepared by duly
authorized committee of the League of Nations and,
as SUCH could not be used for anything a basis
for discussion Good or bad it first had to win the
assent of Emperor Halle Selassie Benito MuSsolini
ana the League. At the worst as plainly init
mated at London and Paris, it was bad dose con-
cocted to cure loathsome disease.
But that, apparently. is water the dam. The
plan stands discarded Europe, the League and
Ethiopia today are exactly where they were before
hand Italy is still at in Africa and the League
is still trying to defeat her there make her
withdraw lock- stock and barrel from the last inch
OF Ethiopian soil.
Small wonder that Sir Samuel warned the House
of Commons that Europe is now entering much
more dangerous phase of new chapter of the war"
To underestimate that fact is folly. II Duce is bat
Ting not only for his life but for the life of his
regime, and those who know him best agree that if
he must die, he will elect to go out in blaze.
GERMANY, arming day and night, is watching
~ every move in Paris London, Rome and
Geneva She awaits only favorable opportunity to
make her next bid for "a place in the SUM-"
Austria and Hungary in the balance. The
Balkans astir. The Soviet Union is uneasily
watching two frontiers 5000 miles apart while dis
that Japan is already on the move prepared to the
last shoe lace to make the most of Europes turmoil
Already too. Europe is dividing over the efficacy
OF economic sanctions. Few believe that they alone
will prove effective against the armed might of
Rome. And if economic sanctions fail what then?
Will the League go to war against Italy? If So who
will do the fighting? Great Britain? France9
Not ship, not machine and not man has
been moved by another member of the league" the
unfortunate Sir Samuel complained TO Lila
ment. Nor is that all Observers across the
channel predict thai should France Join in a war
against Italy, over Ethiopia. there would be serious
trouble. perhaps revolution. at home. For contrary
to the popular notion, France is not fundamentally
mitaristic and the only call to arms to which her
citizens would respond without grumblng would be
against invasion
Europe then. faces very real crisis. In the
words OF the Biblical James, We strongly feel that in