Show national affairs by FRANK P LITSCHERT the vast difference between international thought in the united states and in europe can be illustrated by the recent trip of chancellor breuning and foreign minister curtius Curt lus of germany to italy lor for a visit with mussolini according to the statement ot of the german officials the visit was for the purpose of having an opportunity to learn to know personally the distinguished head bead of 0 the italian government and the a statement t added that it was hoped that the visit would result in further steps tor for the pacification and economic rehabilitation of europe two alms in which the interests of germany and taly daiy thoroughly converge to the average american this trip irla would seem to be a fine thing cal calculated to bring two nations ot of europe closer together and to increase the possibility lity of some sort of a united states of europe in the near future it least that Is what the average american would think it if he were to take time to think about the matter at all which Is doubtful but in european nations the impression of the visit Is somewhat different in france and in the balkan countries including poland the visit of the germans to rome gives rise to feelings of misgivings if not actual anger in paris there is sharp criticism of the visit of the teutonic statesmen to rome and speculation lation as to whether or not this Is riot not the opening step tor for a revival of the alliance between germany austria and italy a triple alliance which fell to pieces in 1914 at the beginning of the world war this thought has given elsel rise to much uneasiness in france and there are now suggestions that the french officials may not make the trip to berlin which they were planning to make in the near fut future re in the interests of franco german goo good r will whether or not there Is anything below the surface to justify french suspicions which are arc always easily aroused the tha tact fact that nationalist circles in germany are not hesitating to approve the trip to italy and that the reactionary newspapers la in berlin are declaring that the time has now arrived tor for a closer italo german understanding are not calculated to soothe the french feelings that so much ado should be made out ot of an official weekend week end trip from berlin to rome may seem strange to people in america four thousand miles away but it Is to be remembered that the nations of europe are not separated by vast oceans and that there are centuries of traditional discord dividing them in tact fact the greatest difficulties of 0 the recent london meeting to rescue germany from her financial difficulties were the political suspicions among the various nations france does not want germany to become too friendly either with italy or great britain and on the other hand great britain would view with displeasure a real franco german entente even though this might bring immediate peace to europe it would create so formidable a combination that great britain would no longer be the balance ol of power in europe and so goes the european chess game with its moves and counter moves it would bo be unfortunate indeed if th the visit of the german statesman to italy would cool the recent friendlier feelings between france and germany but one is never sure what Is going to happen in european politics from our point of vantage thousands ot of miles away these suspicions and coun ter suspicions may seem childish they are not childish however but potentially dangerous our national and international ideals are so different from those of the governments of europe that it would be more than foolish tor for us to take any liand hand in the european diplomatic game that Is the reason we are much itch better off as a nation at home minding our own business when the time of crisis comes and uncle sam can help he Is always willing to help in the interest of peace and prosperity to the best of his ability but he can only extend lust just and impartial help if he Is not bound up in european politics Is not committed in advance by super or 9 animations and entangling agreements that Is why it Is better for us as a nation ti 0 11 to steer clear of the league of nations and other old oid world attempts at super government |