Evening star., 1940-02-24

have an oppor- DAVID Lawrence.
tunity to meet with the head of the
German Reich.
The impression prevails in we'll
Informed quarters here that Premier
Mussolini is responsible for the evi-
dent intention of the Nazi leaders
to give cordial welcome to Mr.
Welles. 1t will be noted that Mr.
Mussolini telephoned to Herr Hitler
within "a hours after the Welles mis-
sion was announced. 1t is also taken
for granted here that Mr.. Mussolini's
interest in paving the way for
Sumner Welles might have been due
to a friendly suggestion from the
Vatican authorities nearby in Rome.
On the whole, there is satisfac-
ton here that Mr.. Welles is going
to have a chance to get a first-hand
look at the whole diplomatic situ-
alton. He knows DR.. Dieckmann,
the former German Ambassador to
the United States, who is in Berlin
now. Mr.. Welles is the type Of
diplomat with whom it might be
supposed the Germans would not
mind discussing matters very frank
". For he is not likely to betray
condolences from one belligerent
to another.
Seeks Peace Approach.
What can Mr.. Welles do? Obvi-
ously he goes with the whole-hearted
support of President Roosevelt to get
some kind of peace formula going
as soon as possible, so as to make
unnecessary the spring offensive with
the undoubted heavy loss of life that
might ensue. But what kind of a
formula can he devise? Mr.. Welles Is
too shrewd diplomat to be deferred
by the enormity of the questions that
have to be settled. He will try if he
can for the formulation of an ap-
proach to a method of settlement.
rather than concrete discussion of
peace terms in detail.
One of the principal allied war
aims, of course, is the giving of an
assurance that Europe will not live
with a sword of Damocles hanging
over her head all the time. Some
method of guaranteeing freedom
from threats of force will have to be
worked out. The Nazis know this as
well as do the British. Neither side
wants to be under the constant ex-
pense of heavy armament.
AS matters stand today, the Nazi
government desires an honorable
peace. 1t cannot say so publicly. AS
matters stand today. also the British
and French do not feel they can lay
down their arms unless substantial
reduction of armament is assured
and the menace to peace is removed.
Many people in Britain and France
think the issue is personal-whethe
Herr Hitler himself can be removed
from the picture by self elimination
that is by retirement, or by military
defeat of the Nazis through the
economic blockade.
Might Agree to Retire.
But it would not be surprising if
Herr Hitler challenged the British
on this point. declaring some day
that he will be glad voluntarily to
retire from Office If the British will
make concessions that will permit
Germany the, economic expansion
she desires. 1t would be precisely this
sort Of a gesture of self-sacrifice
which Hitler might make and be-
come In the eyes of the Nazis an
even greater hero than he is today.
The issues are not as much per-
sonal as they are economic, and on
both sides it Is well known that the
allies and the Nazis cannot continue
the life-and-death struggle in which
they are engaged without leaving,
subsequent to any armistice, an
aftermath of economic chaos that
will be felt throughout the world. 1t
is here that America comes into the
picture.
The United States, according to
the Roosevelt conception which can
very readily be explained by Mr..
Welles, has deep interest in the
restoration of trade and normal ex-
change. America, too, might be will
ing In the interest of peace to extend
financial aid to rehabilitate Europe.
The Welles mission is of tram
scendant importance. This will be-
come apparent as news developments
next week and the week after reveal
the powerful influence that America
can WELD. If it desires, in the interest
Of an early peace.
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