Evening star., 1940-01-16

ations in Congress will be pared or
increased AS it appears that the war
will be of short or long duration.
Perhaps the most serious aspect
OF the European DEVELOPMENTS,
when they seem ready to entangle
neutral countries, such as Holland
and Belgium, is that gradually the
number of states which could possi-
bly, WELD an influence for peace is
being diminished.
The Scandinavian countries have
been dragged into the orbit of
operations and into diplomatic con-
troversies which complicate their
own status and make less and less
probable the maintenance of neutral
attitudes. About the only influences
that now could mediate in the max
ing OF peace are those of Rome and
Washington.
Up to United States and Vatican.
Whether the allied powers would
be willing at any time to intrust the
making of preliminary peace plans
to Premier Mussolini is doubtful,
since he himself will insist on maxi
ing claims for Italy at the peace
table. This leaves the United
States Government and the Vatican
the only powerful moral forces to
help make peace in the world.
This is one reason why President
Roosevelt felt that he ought to as
sociate himself promptly with the
efforts of the Pope so that there
would be no crossing of wires or
misunderstanding in the moves that
may be launched toward a peace
conference.
Despite the outward signs OF more
war. the urge for peace continues
unabated and there is reason to be-
lieve it Is often discussed informally
between prominent persons in all
belligerent powers through the me-
dium of Intermediates In Switzer-
land or Italy.
Every added month of the war in
creases the difficulties of making
peace because as more money and
treasure is thrown into the fray, the
demand of belligerent peoples is
that decisive victory be obtained
before peace is given any serious
consideration.
Meanwhile, it Is recognized in this
war, as it was in the last World War,
that ideals and objectives must be-
gin to take shape early in order
that a condition favorable to peace
making eventually may be created.
Roosevelt Gives Indication.
President Roosevelt has talked in
formally with callers about his
ideals for peace. While he has not
said anything publicly about them,
it is not difficult to infer from his
speeches and previous expressions on
the European situation that he has
in mind the establishment of GER
tain fundamental principles as q
prerequisite to peace.
In sense, the President has ac-
cepted Prime Minister Chamber
lain's broad outlines of what DEM
ocratic world should be as the basis
of his own definition of peace terms.
The theory that each people may
choose whatever form of govern
ment they like is recognized as no
longer tenable if by choosing a die
tatorship minorities are mistreated
and population problems are Gre
ated for the rest of the world. There
can be no doubt also that freedom
Of worship, freedom of speech and
freedom of the press which are
eliminated when relationships arise
will be regarded as essential parts
Of any pledge of stability or guar
antee of peacefulness in the world.
Mr.. Roosevelt is watching for an op-
portunity to make known his ideals,
but the belief prevails here that
only after the war intensifies in the
spring and the futility of the COM
bat has grown more apparent will
public opinion in Europe be recep-
tive to any proposals.
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