Achievements

Apart from shifting their whole attitude, so as to take Soviet Russia seriously and respectfully for the first time, the achievements of League statesmen in Geneva last week were these:

Henderson Elected, The League Council brushed aside Czechoslovakian Foreign Minister Dr. Eduard Benes ("Biggest Little Statesman") who publicly aspired last week to be elected chairman of the 1932 World Disarmament Conference. Instead of aspiring Dr. Benes, the Council elected big, beefy "Uncle Arthur" Henderson, Scottish Foreign Secretary of Great Britain.

Scot Henderson, courting European favor, made a long speech contradicting President Hoover's intimation to the International Chamber of Commerce that armament costs rather than high tariffs are the particular cause of Depression about which something should be done at once (TIME, May 18). "Among causes contributing to World Depression." cried Free-Trader Henderson, "the magnitude and high level of protective tariffs rank first and foremost!"

Trick on Austria, As expected, the League Council shifted to the World Court last week the job of passing on the legality of the Austro-German attempt to form a "customs union" or Zollverein (TIME, March 30, et seq.). Scot Henderson at this point nearly took Austrian Dr. Johann Schober into camp.

The Austrian Foreign Minister let himself be led into an exchange of remarks in English with Mr. Henderson, who said in a general way that Austria and Germany ought to take no further step about Zollverein while this issue was before the Court. Dr. Schober agreed in a general way in English. Quick as a flash Uncle Arthur asked him to repeat and confirm his "pledge." Caught, flushing darkly, Dr. Schober did as the Scotsman asked. In Berlin irate editors soon echoed former German Finance Minister Peter Reinhold who said: "Dr. Schober surrendered completely to Mr. Henderson chiefly because he failed to grasp the situation through insufficient knowledge of English."

This was a bit hard on Austrian Schober. Henderson of Glasgow speaks English that is Scotch.

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