Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1933. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 133, 17 March 1933, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 17, 1933. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.

The international atmosphere in Europe is dark with the clouds of the penace of war, mainly arising out of the distrust that exists between France and Germany, though the relations-be-tween some of the Baltic States are also prejudicial to tranquility. A general conviction that the present time is critical has a wide acceptance. This conviction rests on facts. There has been a studied effort to ensure peace. It began ere the war ended. It was instrumental in creating the League as an integral part of the structure of the peace plan. It steadily pursued its purpose until the Locarno agreement prepared the way for Germany's membership in the League. Auxiliary influences were set to work. A little over four years ago sixty-one nations, including all that seriously counted, signed the Briand-Kellogg Pact condemning war as a solution of disputes and renouncing it as an instrument of national policy. A further attempt was made to put a check on navalconstruction programmes; the conference in London did not wholly succeed, but it'got to closer grips with realities. Then, while, Europe dealt helpfully with the reparations problem, a conference of practically world-wide membership began on the real work of reducing and limiting all armaments. Surely, it was said, so universal and studied an effort to get rid of war must succeed: the difficulties, however great, could be vanquished by a united will to peace. Yet the progress of the conference has been appallingly slow. Its total visible product to date is one resolution, which is to be, reviewed in plenary session this year twelve months after its beginning. It may not fail, but if it does not succeed what must be thought of the likelihood of ever getting rid of war? The position as it concerns France and Germany —always containing the elements of danger —has been rendered much more delicate by the advent of the Nazis to power. Hitler and his followers may be expected to rattle the sabre rather than hold forth the olive branch, and this propensity may provide the flint that makes the spark. Germany's attitude to armaments has always been that of an aggrieved party. She has long demanded equality in arms, the French as strenuously and as persistently opposing the claim. Mr Lloyd George, as one of the drafters of the Versailles Treaty, is of opinion that Germany has fulfilled her disarmament obligations. However that may be, there is no doubt .that the policy of Hitler does make for the strengthening of the bonds jf peace. Demand has been made that Britain should remain aloof from the complications that threaten the storm. But even peace-loving Britain cannot shape her destiny as though she were the only nation on the earth.