Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1936. PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 263, 19 August 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 19, 1936. PACIFIC PROBLEMS.

The discussions at the conference of the International Institute of Pacific Relations, now in session at Yosemite, California, deal with matters that primarily most intimately affect those countries whose possessions border the great ocean, but also have an important bearing on the peace of the world at large. Apart from the economic research pursued steadily by its technical staff, the Institute may not have much to show for its years of work and the biennial conferences inaugurated in 1925 may be thought to serve no practical purpose. But the nature of the task, and particularly the nonpolitical character of the organisation, are not such as to justify the application of any test of that kind. Essentially aloof from State business and undertaking no liaison between Governments, it is able none the less — probably all the more —to render the kind of service most needed among nations having interests in the Pacific. Round this ocean and athwart it are national activities that must compete, have clashed, and may incite international hostilities. Diverse civilisations are here ever in close touch, and events seem destined to make it closer. Impact cannot be averted. If it should come with abrupt severity, the issue might be calamitous. Nothing in the way of ultimatums can be of much help. Indeed, that method is increasingly fraught with peril. . Agreement, not segregation, offers the only useful solution of whatever problems exist or may arise, and the fostering of the right spirit for practical embodiment in mutual undertakings is a real contribution. This contribution the Institute seeks to make, both by its activity in continuous research and by these conferences non-officially composed. It has scrupulously kept its hands off all political machinery. To interpret each racial outlook is accepted as the better way. Therefore the conferences have turned resolutely from the temptation to produce findings on policy, preferring to ventilate frankly, if not to conclusion, the questions vexing the countries fronting this ocean. The Pacific has ceased to be the backyard of the world, but its long remoteness from the habitual centre of international strife has given it opportunity to move more easily out of the throes, and if there be only wisdom and courage enough, it may blaze for all the world a better trail. Undoubtedly difficult, for added to the Western nations often at cross purposes are Eastern peoples prone to mutual misunderstanding, yet the exemplary achievement is not impossible. At the very least, the conferences have furnished occasions of unbuttoned speech on diverse racial ideals in philosophy, religion, ethics, education and even politics, with a minimum of provocative word and a maximum of respectful friendship. That British, American, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Filipino speakers could have their say out to each other Russian listeners were on hand at one conference may be surprising, but the fact is more than interesting. So far from playing with fire, as some might suppose, the conferences have been in the nature of a practical study of conflagrations, spontaneous combustion and especially incendiarism, with a watchful eye on risks of outbreak and a cool thought about preventive measures. It has proved worth trying.