Evening star., 1937-02-21

away with the present restriction
quotas and embargoes. These would
be patterned after the several agree
ments signed during the last three
years between the United States ana
other countries in Europe and South
America.
2. establishment of respect for
international political agreements.
8. An attempt should be made to
formulate "middle-of the-r road"
policy, between extreme International
ism and extreme nationalism, to be
adopted by all nations.
4. A practical and immediate soIu-
ton would be an immediate confer
ence of the nations mot infected by
the war germ"-that is to say, the
United States, the Scandinavian coun-
tries, Switzerland and possibly the
Balkans.
Conference Of Neutrals.
The Scandinavians, the Dutch and
the Swiss managed to keep out of the
last war, but their leaders consider
that remaining neutral in the event
of another world war will be tenfold
more difficult. These countries are
therefore reluctantly following the
lead of their big neighbors in arma.
ment expenditures-a purely pre-.
ventive move on their part-but stin
they are spending more money than
they can afford.
A conference of neutrals with the
United States might develop-so at
least think many of our diplomats
into something really important. Other
nations might join and the neutrak'
conference could develop into world
parley. Its economic objectives might
bring about political agreements. And
if it failed, the consequences would
be far less disastrous than those of q
parley for limitation of armaments.
There would be no blare of trumpets
and publicity which accompany every
international gathering where political
problems are being discussed.
1t is pointed out that all the pre-
vious conferences-including the last
one at Buenos Aires-might have
been more successful had the people
been warned not to expect world.
wide results. In the business world
very often small enterprises with little
capital and modest beginnings develop
into powerful companies. while under.
takings highly advertised and over.
capitalized frequently land in bank
ruptcy court. This also applies to
international affairs. The trouble
with most international gatherings is
the fact that the representatives Of
the nations are so much in the lime.
light and the passions and the sus-
picions of the people are so much
aroused that the delegates feel they
must adopt, from the very beginning,
adamant attitudes.
No Definite Response.
These general ideas. which for the
sake of clearness have been set forth
in this article as four-point pro-
| gram. have been communicated un.
officially to the various interested gov.
ernments. There has been no definite
response so far, except a general ex.
pression of approval from the minor
nations and somewhat skeptical re.
action on the part of the big powers.
The French, especially Leon Blum.
seem to think that there are posi-.
bilities" in these ideas. They are
gravely concerned over the European
situation and feel that anything is
worth trying. regardless of how futile
it might appear on the surface.
The British are definitely pesSimis-
tic, especially since Hitler has placed
under their nose his demands for q
colonial empire. They believe that
until Hitler has been intimidated by
their colossal arms program and be-
gins to show less obstinate attitude
regarding his colonial empire it would
be useless to make any attempt for
international reconciliation. Down.
ing Street does not believe in catching
birds by putting salt on their tails,
and the Hull ideas are tantamount to
that, they say.
Despite these reactions, the admin.
iStration believes that unless some un.
expected incident occurs within the
next few weeks the world stage might
be ready to accept new play based
on the old theme of love and disarm-
ament. The fantastic figures for mill.
tary preparation are bound to react
eventually in favor of limitation of
! arms.
| (copyright. 1877