Relaxing the Tension If any measure of tranquillity and confidence
is to be restored to Europe it. can only be by sloW stages. A beginning has been made, not in Europe itself but on its fringes. The Montreux settlement with Turkey has at least shown the possibility of ivacefnl 'change by agreement. The progress achieved in the negotiations between this 'country and Egypt, making the eorielusion of a definite treaty so probable that Egyptian delegates are starting for London next week with a view to signing the treaty, affords ground for real relief and satisfaction. The agreement is equally creditable and equally beneficial to both parties, and tribute is specially due on the one side to the Egyptian Prime Minister, Nahas Pasha, and on the other to the British High Corrimissioner, Sir Miles Lampson, who has found more scope-in Egypt than he did in China for the qualities he displayed earlier in his career as a departmental head at the Foreign Office. One other encouraging sign is the acceptance by Germany and Italy of the invitation to a new Locarno Conference. It is true that Italy accepts only in prin- ciple, whatever that may mean, that Germany is still likely to resist any extension of the discussions beyond the Western European area to which the original Locarno treaty applied, and that there is no prospect of the conference meeting before October. Still, there is progress. * * * *
