DANGER ZONE CROSSED

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1926, Page 4

DANGER ZONE CROSSED

| The members of -the Council of the ' League of Nations must be breathing I more freely today than they did a few i days ago. Two formidable lions in the path to peace have been either slain or chained. In the first place, it seems to have been definitely settled that Germany's application for" admission to the League will be the sole business for the Council's special session on March 8. This removes, temporarily at any rate, a disagreement which might conceivably have wrecked the great work done in the direction of ensuring peace in Europe. But, despite the outward show of tranquility, there is unfortunately reason to fear an undercurrent of suspicion. Time, however, is a wonderful healer, and so long as a definite rupture of the friendly feelings which gave birth to the League of' Nations is averted, there is hope for ultimate success. The other eventuality which must have, brought relief to the members of the League is the removol of the misunderstanding that threatened to bring Austria to Geneva with a very sweeping charge against Italy. It will be remembered that early in tho present month Mussolini made a remarkable speech in the Italian Parliament, in which he was reported to have threatened to send Italian troops through the Brenner Pass. This was the climax to a declaration that the year 1920 would bo for Italy a Napoleonic year. Austria, in view of the discussion of Mussolini's attitude towards the Italianisation of the Trentino, was surely justified in taking a serious view of the position: hence her contemplated appeal to the League of Nations. The danger has now passed. Tho Austrian Chancellor, Dr. Rudolf j Ramek, informed the Foreign Affairs; Committee that, in reply to the Au&- < trian Minister's representations, Signor Mussolini stated that in his speech he! did not intend to alarm Austria. He only meant that Italy would never consent to a union between Austria and Germany, or to any alteration of postwar conditions. Signor Mussolini had added tho assurance that no Italian troops would cross the Brenner Pass. Dr. Ramek declared that in view ol Signor Mussolini's explanation, Austria would not refer the threats to the! League, and he therefore hoped that the tone of the Fascist Government and the Fascist Press would be moderated. That Dr. Ramek's hopes, will be realised is a consummation devoutly to be wished.