Evening star., 1936-01-28
Peace Making in London.

Thirty-one years ago this month, when
Queen Victoria was laid to rest, London
was the scene of precisely such an emf
nent gathering of crowned heads and
statesmen as now are assembled for the
funeral rites of King George v. In
evitably the thought arises whether
events of January, 1896, are to be fol-
lowed by developments as momentous as
those which ensued from the conclave
of the captains and the kings who paid
final homage to the great white Queen
in 1901.
For thirteen years after the passing OF
Victoria Europe lived in peace, even amid
incessant fears of war, and, as far as ceT-
tain continental powers were concerned,
amid feverish preparations for that
eventuality. Yet the royal obseQuies at
London, as the reputed consequence OF
foundations laid there by foreign SOW
ereisns and statesmen in discussions with
British leaders, were succeeded by nearly
a decade and half of Old World tran
ouillity. Will history repeat itself, now
that mourning for departed British
sovereign has again brought many mold
ers Of European destinies together?
Observers in touch with present-hour
undercurrents confidently anticipate
gains for peace as the aftermath OF the
weeks historic events. These hopes re-
volve conspicuously around King Edward
VIII and his known yearning for inter-
national reconciliation. Speculation CEN
ters mainly on the presence Of Ger
many's representative, Baron Won Neu-
rath, Reich foreign secretary. His selec-
ton, rather than that of any militant
Nazi leader, is interpreted as sign OF
Hitlers eagerness for an Anglo German
entente. Baron Won Neurath is
former Ambassador to the Court OF st.
James and friend of the Queen Mother.
King Edward, during the past year,
took a notable initiative in proposing a
reunion of British and German war
veterans-a gesture which met with
popular approval in both countries.
From the cordial intimacies inseparable
from the occasion which now brings re-
sponsible British and German leaders
together, it is considered we'll within
the range of possibilities that important
understandings may emerge.
From France President lie Brun and
the new foreign minister, M. Flandin.
have come. The recently sealed Franco
British Mediterranean pact is sure to
undergo thorough consideration, even
amid the sad circumstances which crowd
the hour. Italy has sent her young
Crown Prince Umberto, and while 1t is
hardly likely that he is intrusted with
diplomatic mission, his presence Is bound
to soften Anglo Italian asperities. Aus
tria's strong man, Prince Won Starhem-
berg, is on the ground, likewise M. Lit
vinofi, arbiter of Soviet foreign affairs
Little Entente statesmen, from Rumania,
Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia, partners
with Britain in the collective effort to
curb Fascist aggression, have, along with
many other continental emissaries,
joined the great European galaxy at the
bier of George v. Five Kings-the rulers
Of Norway, Denmark, Belgium, Bulgaria
and Rumania- complete the distin-
guished circle of power -wielders. The
United States is represented by Ambas-
sador- -at-large Norman H. Davis as the
special envoy of President Roosevelt.
It would be indulging in exaggerated
optimism to imagine that even so note
worthy an assemblage as now graces the
Thames side will Immediately generate
new atmosphere in Europe, prophetic
of peace and the Punishment of war. But
the opportunity for pooling of universal
hopes for the eradication of alarms and
anxieties is unique one. It is hardly
possible that it will pass without some
practical steps toward the goal on which
mankind's longings are riveted.