Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, MAY 28, 1934. THE ARMS PROBLEM.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 192, 28 May 1934, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit MONDAY, MAY 28, 1934. THE ARMS PROBLEM.

"The League is dying and now it is cannon speak," was the opinion expressed by Signor Mussolini recently on the subject of armaments. But having expressed such a gloomy view he revealed that he still cherishes a ray of hope, for he added: "Perhaps Britain can still play a card, using her power and prestige. The world is waiting for it, because millions of lives and the destiny of Europe are at stake. The Disarmament Conference has finished and the rearmament conference has begun." On the other hand, "The Times" does not see any likelihood of Britain fulfilling the expectations of the Italian Dictator, for, dealing with foreign policy as outlined in the House of Commons by the Secretary of State recently, the great London journal says: "The British Government has itself largely to thank for the multitude of councillors and the multiplicity of remedies of which Sir John Simon complained. It has too often given an impression of uncertainty just when Europe is seeking a lead. This criticism is particularly applicable to the' Government's recent policy on disarmament, which is a problem that now rouses the greatest public uneasiness." The possibility of a disarmament convention based on the British and Italian proposals has vanished, but viewing the position from a distance, where party leanings do not enter into consideration, it would appear rather too sweeping to blame the British Government for the failure of the proposals. The antagonism between France and, Germany has presented difficulties that prevented success. The fact that a convention is impossible may mean a crisis in the course of civilisation. Ihe moment is one of the most disheartening since the war. As strong as Germany s determination to recover her power is the determination of r ranee to make herself secure against aggression. Britain has made a great effort in pursuit of the peace ideal, but she cannot travel alone. As Sir John Simon stated in the House of Commons, the real difficulty which faces the Conference is not the technical question as to how many arms of a particular kind a particular nation should have. Armaments are only the indication of the disease of fear, and unless something can be done to strike at the roots of this terrible disease the best technical experts in the world will not be able to produce an agreement for international disarmament.