Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1936. PROBLEM OF SANCTIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 208, 16 June 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, JUNE 16, 1936. PROBLEM OF SANCTIONS.

It is only natural that the opinion expressed by Mr Neville Chamberlain on the subject of sanctions should arouse great interest not only in Britain but in all countries concerned in the application of that measure against Italy. His position as Chancellor of the Exchequer gives to any words of his an importance greater than would attach to any statement by most of his colleagues in the Cabinet. But while this is so, it should not be taken for granted, even in view of the reply made by the Premier to a questioner in the House of Commons, ”I have no complaint myself to\make on what the honourable gentleman has said," that a change in Britain’s policy is imminent. The declaration in that event would come rfom either the Prime Minister or the Foreign Secretary, and Mr Chamberlain's statement must be regarded as purely the expression of his own personal views. It certainly reveals a differen'ce of opinion in the Cabinet, but such does not necessarily mean more than a frank statement of views so that the subject may be ventilated fully and without prejudice. lVlr Chancellor, stating what cannot be denied, that sanctions as at present imposed have failed to achieve their object, said: "Therefore we must decide so to limit the League's functions in future that they may accord with its real powers. If that policy were courageously carried through I believe it might go far to restore the League's prestige, although it must be admitted that the League is so limited that it could no longer be relied upon by itself to secure the peace of the world. It is now apparent that the policy invplves, if not war, at least the risk of war, and that risk must increase in pro—portion to the effectiveness of sanctions. It is also apparent, in the presence of such a risk, that the nations cannot be relied upon to proceed to the extremity of war unless their vital interests are threatened." Mr Chamberlain wants to localise the danger spots of the world, suggesting as a means regional arrangements approv—ed by the League. This advocacy raises many issues. When and how shall sanctions against Italy be lifted? Clearly, they cannot go on for ever. Therefore, with what purpose can they be usefully continued? Mr Chamberlain wants them removed because they have failed; they certainly did not end the war. On the other hand Signor Mussolini, who gained his aim in spite of them, is insistent in his demand for their removal because they may injure Italy. Mr Chamberlain says plainly that the League cannot impose sanctions and he shows further that even as a purely moral force the Geneva body has failed, Ewing largely to defections from membership by countries who put their own individual aspirations before the security of world peace. The choice before the League is beset with danger—either it must continue sanctions with no effective power to enforce them, or it must relinquish them in a manner that will not further damage its prestige. L»...