Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-11-15


Mr.. Anthony Eden gave to Mr.. Blum
in Geneva are to be trusted.
Soviet Russia today has at its dis
posal an incomparably greater volume
Of war material and ammunition than
the Imperial army Of 20 years ago, and
the aerial forces loom large in the
picture. However, her transportation
facilities are still poor. Poland, Yugo-
slavia and Rumania are being rearmed
by France; and Czechosloyakia, in
possession Of the huge Skoda works
contributes to the restoration of the
Rumanian forces. Here, too, railway
communications are the hardest ques-
tons to solve. The members Of the
virtual antigermanic coalition are dis
jointed. 1t Is not easy to make them
At in together in q general strategic
scheme.
To sum up, Germany will be rela-
lively stronger than at any subsequent
time during the next II months; aft
erward she ought to become rela-
lively weaker, unless something now
unforeseen hinders the opposite camps
rearmament plans.
We are not yet sure whether we
can avoid the great trial. A doubtful
period of IL or 10 months, or, pos
sibly, 2 years, is ahead. Anyhow, the
nations devoted to the maintenance
OF peace ought to be strong enough
to ward of the crisis If they are wise
enough to enforce their solidarity at
every turn.
Parties May Be Reviving.
The financial and economic distress
Of the German people-which this
Winter will exceed what it was last
year-ineans that the feet Of the
Hitlerian colossus are perhaps made
OF clay. 1t is asserted from serious
diplomatic sources that, under the
surface, the old German parties have
been revived.
But are all the governments which,
in an international sense, can be called
conservative, ready to sink their diff
ferences and concentrate on q COM
mon line Of defense? The true cause
for anxiety is that no affirmative
answer can be returned to that ques-
ton with feeling Of certainty.
In the last resort, everything de-
ponds upon the French and the Brit
ish cabinets. II they make up their
minds to stand by the principle OF in
divisible peace every one will follow
suit, from Soviet Russia to Turkey,
from Czechoslovakia to Yugoslavia
and Rumania. In Poland all odds are
that Gen. Rydz Smigh, the COM
mander in chief, would then have
enough authority to overcome the
Germanophile leanings of Col. Beck,
foreign minister, and his clique. Italy
herself would probably have to lower
her terms.
But If the ministers in Paris and
in London continue to hesitate be-
tween a policy of collective security
and q policy OF every one for him
SELF" their associates or sympathizers
in Central and Eastern Europe will
more and more move independently
and, in despair, some day come to
terms with the German Reich.
Czechs Fear Attack.
In Geneva, on October 2, Mr..
Ltvinoff. commissar for foreign af-
fairs, said 1t in so many words to
Leon Blum. the French premier.
He warned that Czechoslovakia, owing
to her perilous geographical position,
vet
ana that it rested with France to de-
eide whether she was to be assisted
or abandoned to her fate. you tell
me- Mr.. Ltvinoff is reported to have
added, that the necessary arrange
ments will be worked out after the
contemplated conference of the Lo-
carnian powers has been brought to a
close, because to act otherwise would
seem to prejudice its failure. But the
sands are running out at a very high
speed"
What Mr.. Litvinoff did not say is
that the general uneasiness, perhaps,
does not result so much from the
delay recommended by the British
government and agreed to by the
french than from a lingering belief
that, when cloSeted with the reIre-
sentatives Of Adolf Hitler and bang
pressed by them to accept peace In
the West, provided their respective
countries do not any longer assume
any responsibility for the freedom and
independence of Central and Eastern
Europe, the French and British min
listers may be swept OF their feet by
tremendous wave of pacifism at
home and precipitated into surrender.
Do not let us forget that France
cannot face the present issue in
Europe apart from Great Britain. An
overwhelming outburst of British de-
featism would thus be sufficient to
suppress any desire of the French
government to stick to its principles.