Salt Lake Telegram | 1938-11-24 | Page 6 | Hope Falters

Hope Falters Emen IF r men could not look backward and rem em- em I 1 ber if history's pages were not cluttered with I jottings of broken faith if the wastebaskets of the worlds world's chancelleries had not been stuffed with the shreds of breached treaties treaties then then allI all I civilization would be moved today to utter I prayers of thanksgiving for the German French-German t 0 accord announced in Paris Wednesday As it is S hope falters It can only be a whispered prayer 4 of gratitude but more an agonized supplication Japan may at least be credited with frankness frankness frankness frank frank- ness when its high ministers represent to our m state department that it maintains in its private k courts the principle that a co contract tract is invalidated invalidated y dated by changing circumstances and to insist that the principle be carried into international ional iI 4 law with respect to the effect of changing circumstances circumstances cir cir- cir cir- N upon the solemn obligations suba subscribed sub sub- a scribed to in treaties It is a weak immoral and perfidious alibi contemptuously presented by the Japanese as a saving face-saving g gesture sture as the thew w United States calls for an accounting for treaty It violations affecting American rights in the i 0 Orient Japan pledged her word with u us and the other great powers that she would renounce 0 war as iS an instrument of national policy and that 1 ii she would submit all future disputes to consulta tion j. j Those are the same pledges seared in in th the S German French-German understanding announced on ona in Paris to dist discuss dis dis- a the eve of a British mission t cuss the negotiation of a French-British French military alliance The German French-German pact is an n outgrowth out out- r growth of the German British-German accord achieved at ati i Munich It has been awaited by Europe's statesmen statesmen states states- men as a foundation upon which to erect a structure i U t ture re of peace and colla oration for Europe If fun full faith might be placed in any treaty S' S negotiated on the soaked blood-soaked soil of the old 3 I I world this newest pacific instrument would be entitled to designation as the most momen momentous ous document framed in modern times tunes If it meant peace for Europe if it meant that ancient enemies enemies enemies ene ene- mies had grounded their arms if it meant renunciation renunciation renunciation re re- re- re of greed hatred vengefulness distrust distrust distrust dis dis- dis- dis trust and fear r hope might burn brightly and dispel dispel dispel dis dis- dis- dis pel the w war r clouds unceasingly striking terror into the hearts of peoples so sorely in need of peace But the French do not forget or forgive the the exactions of their conqueror in 1870 the G Germans do not not- forgive or forget the wrath of their enemies written into the Versailles treaty It is these things that put the stumbling block before hope But hope must be brave and the world give thanks that Europe takes one step toward seeking appeasement for her restive states without resort to sword and fire If now Germany would declare a program for her in internal internal internal in- in peace the world might greet the dawn of ofa a brighter day