Evening star., 1938-03-13
BY CONSTANTINE BROWN,

ny CONSlAN11NE 0hOWN.
W yHAT happens to a parallelism
M when one Of two lines begins to
deviate? This is one of those
simple geometric problems which gives q
headache to State Department students.
None Of our high officials who deal with
American foreign relations, from the Pres
ident to the various chiefs of divisions,
blames the British government for adopt
Ing realistic policy regarding Europe and
the colonial question, but they doubt the
wisdom of its secret Irritation with Japan
and apparent willingness to leave China to
her fate.
The optimism which prevailed two weeks
ago that solution of European problems
might lead to a successful economic and
military disarmament has been dissipated
by reports from London Berlin, Paris and
Rome. Each Of these countries is increasing
Its estimated expenditure on warships, air
planes and tanks, and intensifying its drives
for an enlarged military personnel The
barter system inaugurated by the totali-
tartan states is working satisfactorily and
unless Germany and Italy can be drawn
Into the sphere of Mr.. Hulls reciprocal
trade agreements, there is little hope for an
Improvement. But Mr.. Hull cannot discuss
reciprocal trade agreements with Germany
and by implication with her stablemate,
italy. The official reason is that such con-
versations would be premature until a
British-American agreement has been ne
gotiated. Unofacially, however, it is ad-
mitted that no talks on the subject could
begin with the Nazis until after the Novem-
Der elections. Anti-Hitler feeling in this
country because of his religious
1ntolerance-is too intense to permit the
administration to risk conversations with
Der Fuehrer on the eve of an important
election.
While our parallelism of interest with
Great Britain on international affairs has
undoubtedly been weakened by the devia-
ton Of the British cabinet, the White House
and the State Department are following
closely the conversations between London,
Rome and Berlin. Some of our high officials
harbor the fond hope that some day, some-
how, somewhere, the two lines will again
run parallel course. It is admitted that
the British government was in dilemma
which could be solved only by surrender.
Whether this honorable surrender can save
the situation remains to be seen.
"Ultimatum" an Open Secret.
It Is an open secret thai Germany and
italy presented the Chamberlain govern
n1ent with . memorandum which could be
interpreted as an ultimatum. It Is an
equally open secret that the City financiers,
tired OF the idealisttc policies Of Anthony
Eden and his followers, urged Chamberlain
to face the facts as they were-Germany
and Italy had too great jump over France
and Great Britain In the matter Of arma-
ment to permit the British Empire to play
with fire. The intelligence service of the
City, incomparably superior to that of the
government, was convinced that Germany
and Italy, with their backs against the wall
30 far as money is concerned, were SUM-
GENTLY we'll organized to play successfully
their trump card-war.
Their agents reported also that the Soviet
Onion was tottering; its clay feet were
cracking under the heavy weight Of its
body. Consequently, those who believed
that, In the event OF q conhagration in
Europe, the Colossus Of the North could be
relied upon to rush the famous steamroller
over Germany were more mistaken than
the optimists Of 1914
In order to avoid the appearance that
Great Britain was capitulating to the have
nots, negotiations were started with Italy,
and the government-inspired press indcat-
ed that Mussolini sent Grandi to the foreign
once with ashes on his head to ask for
mercy. Grandi, however, was no suppliant.
He gave Mussolini's ultimatum to the Brit
bh government about the same time that
Sir Neville Henderson, Chamberlains Am.
oassador to Berlin, received clear intima-
tions' from Hitler and Ribbentrop that all
toolishness must cease, and Great Britain
must make up her mind about the following
subjects: Return of colonies to Germany.
1taly's equality of interests in the Mediter-
fanean, Frances reign over Spain, and
4talys sphere Of interest in North Africa
When these matters are settled, Italy and
Germany will be glad to discuss a four
power non-aggression pact to include
France, Great Britain, Germany and italy,
which would make secure not only Franco,s
borders, but those of the other Western,
european states Eastern Europe is to be
excluded on the ground that what happens
there cannot be Of particular interest to
the British Empire.
Question Of Colonies.
The German government has made 1t
clear that the question of colonies must be
considered separately from any other prob
lem. There can be no question of quid
pro quo-"I am going to give you back
some Of the territories I have taken awav
from you II you promise to be q good bow"
Henderson was reminded by Foreign Min
lister Won Ribbentrop that the German gov
ernment considered insulting the memo
randum presented to the Wilhemstrasse in
1885. asking questions such as: In the
event his majesty's government is disposed
10 consider discussion Of certain claims of
the German government. viii the German
government promise to keep its word" That
memorandum was thrown into the waste
paper basket without acknowledgment.
Since Hitler considers the Versailles treaty
dead and non-existent, the pretext under
which the colonies were taken from Ger
many-the Reich is an unit administrator
and mandated to other powers no longer
holds good.
But Der Fuehrer is willing to discuss