Evening star., 1938-09-29

1Dlc lUSlC VI q
situation in which retreat from dead
lock could be made only through a
friendly power-Italy. The moment
Hitler gave week to consider his
final proposal it was apparent that he
would consent to negotiate a settle
ment sometime, but that he must first
get a definite guarantee.
Although events have been happen
ing swiftly in the last few days, Ger
many never lost sight of the fact that,
while Czechoslovakia had promised
the British and French to cede the
Sudeten territory, that pledge was not
given on the dotted line by Czecho-
slovakia as a binding engagement to
Germany itself. Hitler's strategy was
to make sure he really had the
Sudeten area. He increased his de-
mands much as the trader increases
his trading price. but, all the time,
he wanted the original proposition.
Chamberlain Hero.
Prime Minister Chamberlain, the
hero of world in which peace has
been preserved, narrowed the issue to
the problem of guaranteeing the
transfer of the Sudetenland. When
he did this, definitely, he enabled
Hitler to give up his war threat.
The choice for mediator as the
channel through which the peace
formula could be brought into final
operation lay between President Roose-
welt and Premier Mussolini. Because
Of the intimacy of Hitler and his
Italian ally, it was natural that the
head of the italian state should be
chosen. 1t is officially confirmed that
Mr.. Roosevelt appealed to Premier
Mussolini to mediate and it also has
been disclosed in London that Prime
Minister Chamberlain sent message
urging mediation on the Italian
pramier So the move was entirely in
accord with the wishes of both sides
an ideal outcome of a tangled dilemma.
Whether the inspiration for this
suggestion came indirectly to London
or was desperate last-minute chance,
1t was the right move because, assum-
ing desire on the part Of the German
Chancellor really to back down and
maintain peace. some means of doing
1t without humiliation to anybody had
to be found.
Prestige for All.
To Mussolini now will 60 large do
mestic prestige in Italy for having
made peace.
To Hitler will 60 the benefit inside
Germany of having achieved a large
acquisition of territory without the
loss Of single life or the heavy ex-
pense OF a major war.
To Chamberlain will 60 the thanks
Of the civilized world and the gratitude
OF men, women and children every
where that he did not allow either
passion or false pride to sway him as
he strove patiently day and night to
put the moral force of reason above
all other considerations.
To America, and particularly to
President Roosevelt and the great
statesman at his side who guided him
Secretary Hull-Will go the applause
OF the democracies abroad as we'll as
all peace-loving citizens in the United
States-that when it was opportune
for the great moral force of this de-
mocracy to be interpoSed in behalf of
peace, there was no faltering at the
wayside, no artificial fears of what the
political attack here might be for
alleged "meddling."
Enjoys Splendid Job.
Unquestionably Ambassador Joseph
Kennedy at London and the other
American diplomatic representatives
abroad must have done splendid job
OF keeping the Washington Govern
ment informed of every development,
because the American moves were
timed so accurately and effectively.
Peace is not absolutely assured, of
course, but it is on its way, and the
whole world will not forget, it may be
hoped, Prime Minister Chamberlain's
significant remark that if article 10
Of the League of Nations Covenant,
providing for the revision of treaties,
had really been observed, this weeks
crisis would not have occurred. 1t is
. comment that will rise again and
again in the public mind, for when the
Czech question is settled there will still
be the problem of how to revise unjust
treaties without making nations feel
that they must build huge ornaments
ana threaten wars before they can
command just revision and the re-
moval Of economic barriers to peace.
Copyright, 1889