The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1936-03-09
MONDAY. MARCH o. 1886.
THIS COCK-EYED WORLD

THE prospects for European or perhaps world
- war were bright enough last week They are
more than bright now-they are binding Germany
has put sizabls force of her best troops on the
River Rhine, in defiance of the Versailles Treaty
and the Locarno Treaty. Like Italy, Germany Is
now addressing the rest of Europe gun in hand de-
handing a readjustment of the conditions set up
by the last World War.
France and England, two of the principal bene
hciaries Of those conditions, striving francaly
to forestall the holocaust that war would bring.
Russia and Japan each also beneficiary though
in a different way-Russia taking advantage of the
outside confusion to build up new and powerful
nation, while carrying out simultaneously a great
social and economic experiment; Japan Selling her
recurring opportunities to expand territorialy on
the Asiatic mainland and commercially throughout
the world. Russia and Japan are watching
ously the efforts of France and England
Lesser nations, including some call powers are
involved in the mad mess 1t may be one of those
nations that eventually will touch the hidden or
exposed nerve and cause their jitery big broth
ers to fly at one anothers Threats and so naugurate
the international riot
IT'S cock-eyed world Webster defines this slang
"Slanted or twisted awry; also, somewhat in
toxicated"
It's cock-eyed world
Only the United States, among the great and
powerful nations, be said not to be slanted or
twisted awry internationally speaking With some
Slight modification to take into account our stub
born conviction that we sell our goods to other
countries without buying anything in return this
statement will stand We were not benefciaries of
the late World War; merely among the vic
tins; we have no gains to protect and we have not
sought to avenge our losses
We have been disposed to be intelligent. That is
to say we have sought diligently to keep out of any
ENHANCEMENT that might draw us into the disaster
which had its beginnings in the peace of Versailles
That is true both to those of us who favored
throwing in our lot with League to enforce world
peace and those who have opposed this course in
each case the motive has been to promote peace for
America.
There is little good in recriminations Most of
the blame for the last World War has been placed on
Germany. But it will not be so easy to blame Ger
many if the madness of 1913 is repeated. In max
ing the Allies despite the efforts of Wood
row Wilson, repudiated the terms on which Germany
laid down her arms, and the conditions of the peace
were such no nation could endure. They made the
tie by little those conditions have been removed by
Germany. The last removed Saturday when she
asserted her right to place her troops where she
pleases within the confines of the Fatherland
ORANGE may fight and at once But her situation
is precarious and she may seek other means of
guarding herself against now somewhat intoxi-
Gated Germany. If France elects to fight, few ma
tons in the Old World will be able to avoid involve
ment There isn't room in this column to spell this
out but suffice it to say that this opinion is held by
every expert here and abroad. From the English
Channel to the Yellow Sea this confiagration will
rage before it burns itself out.
What can America do to confne the flames to
the Old World?
Time will tell. But there is this hope No one in
this country wants any part of this Old World war;
Every in this country wants to keep out of it.
We have recently enacted, in response to this sent
ment neutrality legislation designed to prevent our
being drawn in. That legislation is not complete
as it might be; there admitted weaknesses that
can yet be repaired.
To be certain that it is done in time, this should
be done quickly. Let's hear of the argument
that our foreign office should have free hand in
order to use its best offices opportunity
The moves being made in Europe coming too
RAPIDLY and the motives in many instances, are too
obscure to follow. On the other hand there will be
profit-for time-for America in across the
sea- When that profit starts coming in, good temper
and good sense are apt to be crowded out. Let's do
what we can do-now. Let's make neutrality
legislation as nearly foolproof as we know how.