NEW WARS FOR OLD

Paradoxically enough, the comparative success which is greeting the MacDonald-Mussolini peace plan reveals a startling threat to European tranquillity. Hitherto, with France and her Little Entente in a dominating position on the Continent, war seemed rather distant. But now it appears that England is throwing her weight into the scales, together with Italy, thus tending toward equalization of the opposing forces and increasing danger of armed conflict.

The fact that the French ministry is hesitating in its decision over a treaty which involves the liquidation of the Versailles restrictions on the Central Powers -- restrictions which left France tremendously powerful -- would tend to show not a sudden burst of altruism, but the effect of outside pressure. In short, Deladier and has advisers are afraid of the tacit coalition between England, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Hungary. That Italy is willing to cooperate with Great Britain seems quite logical, in consideration of the facts that the British fleet controls the Mediterranean, that MacDonald is holding out a tempting offer of colonies which Italy never received for her part in the World War, and that 11 Duce has been industriously hating France since he came to power. England's interests in curtailing the French are plain enough. For one thing, London would like to regain its historic role as arbiter of Europe through a position as they key factor in the balance of power. Moreover, she is noticeably worried over the size of the French air force.

The significance and the menace of this new alignment becomes clearer when applied to the German situation. The Nazis have publicly announced that their goal is a Pan-Germany, a linking up with Austria and later, perhaps, Hungary. If France intervenes to smash this arrangement, it is unlikely that England and her ally, Italy, would stand by while the French destroy the Central Powers. They could not watch peacefully the elimination of the eastern check to French supremacy. It would mean, baldly, a general, disastrous war. That is not an alarmist view; it is, unfortunately, commonsense.