Evening star., 1936-05-24

either in Europe or in the Far East.
The French government of the Left
Is in sympathy with Great Britain's
views Of collective security. There is
no doubt the Blum cabinet, which will
take over the reins Of government in
June, would like to help destroy the
Italian and the German dictators
But France is reluctant to fight. In
ternal dissensions, difficult financial
and economic situation, render France
practically helpless except in a de-
fensive war. Germany may take Aus
tria, Japan may take the East Indies,
Syria may join the Saudian Empire,
but the French people are not willing
to risk their lives to prevent, by force,
these contingencies.
Reich Set to Expand.
Germanys path does not cross that
of Great Britain. The Reich is set to
expand in Europe. 1t is determined
to swallow up Austria and eventually
reach the Black Sea by way of the
Ukraine. While the British govern
ment is not fundamentally opposed to
such an expansion, Herr Hitler is a
realist. London cannot prevent his
'Drang mach Oesten"-penetration to-
ward the East. MuSsolini might. The
Hitler -Mussolini agreement of two
weeks ago whereby II Duce consented
that his henchman in Austria, Prince
Won Starhemberg. should be kicked
out of Office brings broad co-opera-
ton nearer.
Downing Street thought at one time
of drawing Germany into the sphere
of British policies, but the idea had
to be abandoned. The Reich is an
economic liability and an open Brit
ish-German cooperation would in
evitably throw France into Mussolbli's
arms. The British are naval-minded.
The combined Italian-French naval
| forces in the Mediterranean amount
to 921 900 tons, while the whole Brit
ish fleet having to police the seven
seas. has less than 100000 tons
100000 of this tonnage consisting of
battleships Of doubtful effectiveness
when fighting in the Mediterranean.
Since last Fall the sentiment has
prevailed in London that the sue
ceeding British government has made
a mistake in neglecting the United
States. This sentiment now has been
changed into a certitude-a certitude
that the United States is the only
country which can solve Britain's
troubles The foreign office, during
the last seven months, has been more
than amiable toward our diplomats,
Its confidential files were opened wide
to the representatives Of the United
States. Every step taken by the Brit
ish government was known days ahead
in Washington. The British put
their cards on the table as far as the
State Department was concerned.
British Envoy Frank.
The British Ambassador in WASH
ington, Sir Ronald Lindsay. is visiting
the State Department more frequently
than any other foreign diplomat. He
is on friendly terms with more Sem
ators and Representatives than any
of his colleagues. He talks to the
American officials as openly as he
would talk to his own people N the
foreign Office When he now refers
to the Italo- British situation as very
grave indeed and says when" and
not "if'' a conflict between the two
countries will break out, our officials
know he is not blufing.
But London is well aware that the.
good will of an American administra-
ton is not sufficient to draw the
United States into an association
which might prove dangerous to the
country. London also knows that old
fashioned propaganda-'hands across
the sea" talk, and blood is thicker
than water"-is no longer enough for
the rank and file of the American
people. Something more tangible Is
necessary.
Sir Ronald, and the many British
lecturers who have visited this country
in the course Of this year, have kept
their ears close to the ground. They
have reported to their government that
two things might turn the American
people toward Great Britain-a COM
prehensive policy of international JUS
tice, based on the outlawry Of war and
non-recognition of territories acquired
by force, and payment Of the war
debts.
The former, these informers told
Downing Street, would appeal to the
intellectuals of the United States-the
latter to the great masses, who have
never understood why Great Britain,
which has boasted of g. budget surplus
during the last two years, does not
honor the debt agreement signed by
Stanley Baldwin in 1924.
Consequently. the foreign Office got
busy. The League of Nations will be
revamped. What shape it will take
and how it will be rearranged to
please the American people is a mat
ter on which the British leaders them
selves are not yet quite certain. 1t
appears probable, however, that all the
obnoxious articles of the covenant
which were intended to maintain in
tact the territorial conquests of the
allies after the last war will be elimi-
mated. The matter has been discussed
in London with Norman Davis, Presi-
OcUL fSOOStFclL . AuiDdSSAQOT Al bdTSe,
but is not likely to take concrete shape
until after the presidential elections.
May Discuss Debts.
The question of resuming the pay
ment of the debts might form the
object of an American-British discus
sion in the course of the Summer.
Great Britain still owes this country
81 $50, ,595, ,301. The British govern
ment suggested in December, 1882, a
settlement based on the payment Of so
cents on the dollar. Later, when the
United States went of the gold stand
ard and Europe believed it would be-
come a serious competitor in the world
markets, Great Britain, like the other
debtor nations, decided to pay nothing
Nobody across the Atlantic believed
two years ago that the time would
come when Americas support would
once more become paramount in
Europe's policies.
The British government knows now
that q debt settlement is necessary,