It Is satisfactory to observe that the tension in Europe has been re-Veved by conversations between Signor Mussolint and Sir Erie Drummond, Great Britain's Ambassador at Rome. No hotier exponent of British policy toward the League could be found than the League's first Secretary-General, Meanwhile the Coordinating Committee at Geneva has proceeded with the scheme for. im= posing economic sanctions. Mr. Stan-Jey Baldwin has reaffirmed the Gov-yinment's intention to act solely with the League and to avoid any un feral enterprise. Great Britain in fact holds that ossociatjon with the League in fulfilment of the Covenant is to be preferred to an abstention which would: probably bring the whole col-Ieetive system crashing about the ears of Europe. The dangers in that result are held to be graver than in the admittedly solid possibility that the Imposition of sanctions may in the event lead to war. The situation ha been improved by the unequivocal assurances now given by France to thor British associate. The French Government "deserves considerable Fespect for its courage, Tt hasbeen in an exceptionally dificult position, for the errors which may be held to have contributed to the crisis are not entirely of one nation's "making. Great Britain, for example, cannot Took back oh her own direction of policy over the past four years with undiluted satisfac~ Yon. France is in a_eruel dilemma as the course of events develops. It lys much for the courage of her statesmen that she has been able to face its implications so squarely, especially as M. Laval's political rec: urity is none' too well established internally. Mr. Baldwin has made significant contribution to the task of reconciling British and Talian views. He has definitely repudiated—Indeed scathingly condemned—any notion that British aims are inspired by a desire to effect political changes Italy. The Fascist creed may not be admired by the majority of Engishmen, but it will be generally re-agnized that on Italy's shoulders lone rests the responsibility of endorsing it. The basic diMiculty of inducing Italy to reconsider her present attitude, lies in the fear that Such a resilement might prove fatal to Signor Mussolini's personal. as~ cendancy. Mr. Baldwin has shown that such a development would receive no countenance from [Great Britain. It is possible indeed to believe' that Signor Mussolini alone can extricate Italy from her present predicament' and that he alone. hes Sufliclent. prestige to make' the attempt without lees of dignity. He
Dopularity if he courageously plighted might concevaby aeauire enhanced his troth anew with Genevar
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.