Evening star., 1937-10-24
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN.


lucky hand at the many international
gatherings Uncle Sam has attended
since 1927. He carries an olive branch
in one hand and thunderbolt in the
other.
Mr.. Davis will exert every effort
to avoid adjournment at the first
sign of real difficulties. Mr.. Roose-
welt feels that the Far Eastern prob
lem must not be left in the same
state of confusion European diplo-
mats have left other situations which
were discussed on the basis of exist
ing international treaties.
The nine-power pact in itself is
the expression of pious hope that
its signatories-the United States,
Great Britain. France, Japan, Italy.
the Netherlands, Belgium, China and
Portugal-will respect China's terri
torial integrity. 1t contains no spe-
lcifc penalty for the nation which
disregards its solemn pledge. 1t
merely provides "a frank exchange
of views between the signatorieS" in
the event one of them violates the
provisions of the pact. Frankness
has never been the strong point OF
European and Asiatic diplomats.
Two Powers Left Out.
Like most treaties which were con-
cluded soon after the World War,
two powers with vital interests in
the Far East, the U. S. S. R. and
Germany, have been left out OF the
convention. In 1922, when the pact
was concluded, these two nations were
still considered pariahs in the concert
of world powers. The far-seeing
diplomats who engineered the agree
ment did not conceive that within less
than generation Russia and Ger
many might once more become powers
to be reckoned with.
1t is obvious to the washington
administration that Russia will have
to be invited soon after the opening
of the conference. Not only has the
Soviet Union as vital interests in
China's integrity as the other sigma
tories, but should showdown become
inevitable it is hoped that she will
become the "torchbearer of the West
ern democracies.' In an everyday
business transaction the individual
who is required to put up a substan-
tial amount of cash must be given
a place on the Board of Directors.
And that is the position of the
u. S. S. R. in the present Far Eastern
conflict.
Whether Japan will send delegate
TO Brussels remains to be seen. Her
position at that meeting will be the
dual one of judge and defendant. 1t
Is possible that Toxic will have sense
of humor enough to enjoy such a
situation. but so far all the indica'-
tions from Japan are that the Rising
Sun government is not in Jocular
mood.
Italy Is SignatOry.
italy is a signatory of the treaty
and. much as some of the others might
like to leave her out, she must be
invited. She will accept the invita-
ton if only to act as an attorney
for the defense of Japan.
The western democracies may decide
to expand the parley by inviting the
four nations which later adhered to the
nine-power pact-Sweden, Norway,
Denmark and Bolivia. In such an
eventuality, the attorney for the de-
fense is likely to raise the question OF
why Germany, with at least equally
important political and economic in
terests in the Far East, has not been
asked to take seat It the green table.
Normally an extension of confer
ence from nine powers into a world
meeting would have been welcomed by
the State Department. Secretary Hull
Is a strong believer in international
gatherings where the discussion OF
some purely local questions could be
extended in a consideration of world
problems, including the resumption of
international trade. But at this par
ticular time it is doubtful whether
he would welcome such wide-range
parley.
Battle Is forecast.
1t will be a miracle if the Brussels
conference, summoned to discuss the
fragrant disregard of treaty by one
of the signatories, does not become,
after a few days, the battlefield be-
tween the relationships and the de-
mocracies. The same forces which
have heretofore nullified all the en-
deavors for a quick settlement of the
Spanish problem will again face each
other at Brussels.
1t is q foregone conclusion that as
soon as the inviting power, Belgium,
raises the question of asking the Soviet
government to send delegation,
Italy's representative will demand the
same courtesy for Germany. And
from the point of view Of an honest
solution of the Chinese puzzle, there
can be no objection to having these
two nations represented.
But what is logical to the ordinary
mind becomes illogical these days TO
the diplomat. The presence of the two
antagonistic groups, France, Great
Britain, Russia in one corner of the
ring, and Germany, Italy and Japan
in the other, might easily result in
free-for-all fight. And Uncle Sam
might find himself in the role of
somewhat biased umpire who might
be shot in the melee.
Possible Farley Slogans.
Washington recognizes strong pos
sibility that the paramount question
of the Integrity of China" might be
relegated to the background soon after
the get-together. End the old I'VE
are fighting against communism" or
I'VE are fighting for democracy" may
become the opposing slogans of the
Brussels parley.
The American delegates are fully
aware of the fact that an agreement
"to fight communism" with all its
inevitable implications, exists today
among Japan, Germany and Italy.
Until a few weeks ago the after
power kept discreet silence regarding
its obligations toward Japan. But in
the last two weeks Mussolini has come
out in the open. The Italian Ambas-
sador at Toxic called pointedly at the
foreign office to inform the japanese