TROUBLED EUROPE

Evening Star, Issue 21725, 21 May 1934, Page 9

TROUBLED EUROPE

MUSSOLINI ANXIOUS A GALL TO BRITAIN Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, May 20. (Received May 21, at 1 a.m.) “ The League is dying and now it is cannon that will speak,” declared Signor Mussolini in a statement to the ‘ Sunday Chronicle.’ “ Pci'haps Britain can still play a card by using her power and prestige. The world is waiting for this’, because millions of lives and the ■ destiny of Europe are at stake. The Disarmament Conference has finished and a rearmament conference has begun.” BRITISH LEADERS' SPEECHES COMMENTS BY LONDON JOURNALS LONDON, May 19. The ‘ News-Chronicle ’ says: “ A study of the speeches by Mr Stanley Baldwin and Sir John Simon would show how British diplomacy maintains its foreign reputation for hypocrisy, despite their fulsome professions of attachment to peace. Europe vainly awaited a clear lead from England, but failure was foreshadowed by the pitiful bleatings of Sir John Simon and Mr Stanley Baldwin. War is upon us, yet apparently the initiative which these peace lovers could not be induced to take on behalf of peace will be taken Instantly when war is in prospect. Sir John Simon’s cowardly repudiation of our responsibilities in China and his slavish flattery of Japan complete the picture. The world is drifting to the shambles of another 1914 because those who should have been the guardians of peace lack the courage of their convictions and sincerity to act upon them.” ‘ The Times ’ says: “ The British Government has itself largely to thank for the multitude of counsellors and the multiplicity of remedies of which Sir John Simon complained. It has too often given an impression of uncertainty just when Europe is seeking a load. This criticism is particularly applicable to the Government’s recent disarmament policy, which problem now arouses the greatest public uneasiness.”

RUSSIA AND THE LEAGUE

M. LITVINOFP AT GENEVA. GENEVA, May 19. M. Litvinoff lias arrived here. He had a long interview with M. Barthou and discussed disarmament relations between Franco and the Soviet, and the possibility of Russia’s entry into the League. UNEXPECTED VISIT LONDON, May 19. The ‘ Daily Mail’s 1 Geneva correspondent says: “The unexpected appearance at Geneva of M. Litviuoff caused a sensation in diplomatic circles. It may be the turning point in European relationships. ' One reason assigned for M. Litvinoff’s visit is Russia’s anxiety to avoid a breakdown of disarmament by submitting proposals for a mutual security pact.”