News of the Week
HO - PES* and anxieties have alternated -rather dis- itirbingly at Geneva in the past week. The statement with which Mr. Norman Davis supplemented President Roosevelt's message, and the withdrawal by Herr Nadolny of his wrecking amendments to the British Plan, were both highly . encouraging signs. Mr. Davis went as far as anyone with a knowledge of the American situation could' reasonably have hoped. America is ready to consult with the rest of the world, which means of course in practice with:the League, in the event of a threat to world peace, and is prepared further, in the event of a breach , of the peace necessitating collective action by the world, to refrain from impeding _that Retitle in any way. America is not prepared as' yet to pledge herself to join such action—that would need the approval of_ the Senate, and to press that body thus far at the moment would be gratuitously asking for- trouble. The condition is further made that the United States must concur in the decision regarding the rights and wrongs Of the ease. This is perfectly reasonable, for it goeS no further than the unanimity required in the League Council or Assembly. France, of course, would like More, but no reasonable Frenchman could expect, it. The important point is that the British argument, that economic action against an aggressor is out of the question because it might bring this country into conflict with America, is blown sky-high by the new declaration. * • *
