Evening star., 1937-10-31
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.

bI CONSIANlINE BhOWN.
FROM the rostrum of the Toronto
l. University Auditorium Cor
dell Hull, Americas No. man.
Il informed the world in general
and the American people in particular
that our isolationist policy has come
to an end.
In less spectacular manner than
his chief the Secretary of State Joined
his voice with that of Mr.. Roosevelt
in sounding the death knell of our
isolationism. Quietly and shrouded
with much philosophical considera-
ton. Mr. Hull told us that our in
difference to the political problems
of the world must be abandoned be-
cause "in the end an inexorable price
must be paid for such isolation, and
directly or indirectly that price is
always paid by the individual"
The speeches made by Mr.. Roose-
velt in Chicago on october 5 and by
the Secretary of State on October
% have twofold purpose:
L. To prepare the American public
for the day when this country may
consider itself bound to take hand
In world affairs and answer lawless-
ness by force, and
g. To bolster the morale of the
cowed democratic nations in their
struggle against the predatory policies
of the authoritarian states.
The world powers are divided into
two groups: First, the birds of prey
Germany, Italy and Japan. They are
hungry and desperate, flying high to
try by sudden and powerful attacks
to take whatever force can give them,
In previous years they we're known in
the diplomatic world as the have
nots." The other powers-France,
Great Britain and their satellites
are, for the time being. too indolent
to offer effective resistance to the
aggressiveness of the others. They
are satisfied with speeches and aca-
demic compromises which serve only
to increase the cupidity of the have
nots" and make them more daring.
Lawlessness Held Contagious.
For the present the administration
In Washington does not bother to go
into the merits and the dement's of
the claims of the "have nots." These,
the President and his Secretary of
State think, are matters which ought
to be discussed later around the
green table-after these powers have
abandoned their aggressive policies.
The only thing which concerns Wash
ington at this time is that all the
nations should regulate their inter-
course on the basis of existing treaties
and international code. And neither
the aggressiveness of Toxic. Berlin
and Rome, nor the speechmaking OF
London and Paris is likely to bring
about such a change. Lawlessness,
said Mr.. Hull, is contagious. and no
nation is safe SO long as the jungle
law governs international relations.
For once the State Department has
taken the agreement of the Non-1nter-
vention Committee at its true value.
It was an empty victory for the French
and British diplomats when Mussolini,
at Hitler's bidding, agreed to With
draw his volunteers. He has sur
rounded his agreement with so many
"ifs" and "whens" that the promise
means nothing. 1t is expected, of
course. that he will recall the bulk
of the 100 000-odd Black Shirts who are
fighting under Gen. Frances banners
after the latter has swept the country
and established himself as the un-
challenged ruler of Spain. This IS the
long and the short of Mussollnls
"capitulation" in London.
But darker clouds are now gather
ing elsewhere in Europe. OF the three
Balearic Islands which form that stra-
tegic Mediterranean base, Majorca and
Iviza are Italian air and naval bases.
They are in the hands of the Nation
alists, and the Italians have estab-
lished themselves there as honored
guests of Gen. Franco.
Minorca Worries France, Britain.
Minorca is still held by the Valencia
government. Several weeks ago an
expeditionary corps of some $4,000
Blackshirts was being formed in Italy
to visit that island, under FRANCOIS
flag, and put an end to Communist"
rule there. These men have been sent
to Libya, however, but the French and
the British governments are by no
means certain that another force will
not be assembled for Minorca in the
near future Despite Prime Minister
Chamberlain's official statement in
the House of Commons that his
majesty's government accepted with
out hesitation II Duce's assurances
that he does not desire to dominate
the Mediterranean, the foreign office,
and especially the Quai dOrsay, are
greatly worried over the possibility of
Minorca's becoming Nationalist
stronghold. The Balearic Islands are
Just half way between the French
mainland and North Africa and their
strategic value is well recognized.
A potentional enemy force, based on
Maiorca and Iviza, could be neutral
lied from Minorca. But If all three
islands were in the hands of that po-
tential enemy, France would be at the
mercy of the power which holds that
group. And there are growing midi
cations that Mussolini intends to
achieve his major purposes on the
Spanish mainland.
An important Italian force is at
present being concentrated in Libya,
where Italy's air hero, Air Marshal
Italo Balbo, is in command. The
concentration system adopted by II
Duce In Libya reminds the European
powers of the Ethiopian incursion.
Troops are being dispatched there in
small patches of two or three thou
sand at a time. Large quantities Of
arms, ammunition and other war ma
terial leave Italian ports every week.
Purposes Are Hidden.
Mussolini is preparing his forces in
such a way that nobody knows what
he has in mind. From his African
colony he could strike either against
the French protectorate of Tunis or