Evening star., 1936-03-21
Member of the Associated Press.
A New Peace Conference.

Having formally rebuked Germany for
violating the Versailles and Locarno
treaties in remilitarizing the Rhineland
and temporarily averted war, Great,
Britain, France, Italy and Belgium have
taken a far-reaching step designed to
rebuild Europes imperiled peace struc-
ture. They propose to hold some time
this year another international confer
ence for discussion, within the frame
work of the League of Nations, OF all the
problems-political, military, economic
and colonial-which lie at the root OF
present-hour controversy and led to the
crisis which for fortnight has threat
ened to plunge the world into another
devastating conflict. The United States
and other non-European states would be
invited to send observers. The confer
ence proposal requires official approval
of the five Locarno governments, notably
Germany, and is therefore not yet to be
regarded as a settled program. The ulti-
mate objective, according to French
VERSION, Is OupCl OPCAaIAA6
under "modernized' covenant.
The Reich is called upon to make de-
cisons that can easily wreck the plan.
Germany must consent to let the World
Court rule upon the Interpretation OF
the Locarno treaty. Hitler justified re
occupation" of the Rhineland on the
ground that the Franco-Soviet pact OF
mutual assistance did away with the
Locarno treaty. Another demand on
Germany is that pending juridical de-
cision and negotiation of new Euro
pean settlement a portion Of the for
fr1erly demilitarized Rhine area shall be
policed by joint international force OF
troops, probably British and Italian.
The Germans reveal enthusiasm for
neither the court proposal nor the re-
establishment of a temporarily demili-
tarized zone under international sur
veillance. Berlin indicates that the
latter plan can only be considered If 1t
rests on strict parity" basis, whereby
the French would make similar con-
eession along their Rhine border. Any
such condition imposed solely upon the
Germans is branded as unbeatable
from Hitler's standpoint. because it runs
counter to the campaign pledges he Is
now laundering to the German people
that there will be no further impair
nent Of the Reich's sovereignty.
Until after the March 20 election, with
its pre-ordained vote of confidence in
Nad foreign policy, including the Rhine
land action, Germany's attitude toward
the grandiose new peace project is un-
likely to be proclaimed. Hitler cannot
afford in the interval to do anything
savoring Of surrender. After the vindi-
cation he has ordered the goose-stepped
German electorate to give him, progress
along projected lines should be possible.
If Hitler declines to consider proposals
to re-establish the security of Europe,
the four other Locarnc powers have
agreed to join in virtual military alli-
ance. Under British guidance, vital COM
promises were effected at London. The
French receded from the demand that
German troops evacuate the Rhineland
before negotiations with Hitler. Ger,
many, even though branded guilty Of
treaty infringement, was assured that
Hitlers proposals will receive due con-
sideration If he accepts certain prelim-
Inary conditions.
The path to peace is not yet cleared
Of thorns, but developments foreshadow
their eventual removal. No power in
Europe wants to fight. That seems the
safest guarantee that there will be no
war, at least in the visible future.