Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1934. INTERNATIONAL CRISIS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 197, 2 June 1934, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit SATURDAY, JUNE 2, 1934. INTERNATIONAL CRISIS.

To all but incurable optimists like Mr Arthur Henderson the crisis at the Disarmament Conference will be surprising only from its suddennes; conditions in Western Europe did not create hope of any definite advance toward the objective, but most people will have expected a little beating about the bush before the final difference was brought to a head. The disbelief in any practical outcome was pustified by Sir John Simon’s statement of the attitude of Britain. Her views on rearmament have altered, for while at the end of last year it was held that agreement could noi be reached on the basis of rearmament, in proposals formulated a few months ago she outlined concessions to Ger • many in respect to the latter s claim for equality. This change is in keeping, with Britain’s traditional policy, The sole object she has in view is the preservation of peace, and she views the problem from an aspect of detachment that is impossible to either of the other two principals in the matter. France has declared emphatically that she cannot accept the new proposals that the only effective form of security that would satisfy her is, collective action against an aggressor nation. France cannot be charged with insincerity. It is true that the French demands for security are endangering the Conference, but at critical junctures France has more than once given proof of magnanimity. M. Briand and other' F rench spokesmen in previous years risked much in their bold advocacy of measures plainly aiding the cause of peace. Ihe day of the Briand-Kellogg Pact seems now far away, and the document itself makes rather strange reading in these changed times, but the breaches made in the scheme are not attributable to France. It is fair to say that Germany’s attitude at Nazi prompting is responsible for the weakening of French sentiment in favour of disarmament. The whole complexion of the crusade of peace was altered for the worse with the rise of Hitler. Iho atmosphere of suspicion that prevails in France finds expression in M. Barthou’s words, and no progress toward disarmament or even reduction in armaments can be expected until that suspicion and any cause that may exist for that suspicion are removed.