SMASH-AND-GRAB

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 183, 18 May 1939, Page 9

SMASH-AND-GRAB

WAYS OF THE FASCISTS. MR EDEN’S BROADCAST. “Faced with the ‘racketeering of power-politics,’ the democracies have to reorganise their national life while preserving intact the essentials of their faith,” said Mr Anthony Eden in a broadcast to Australia from London yesterday, reported the “Manchester Guardian” on March 30. Mr Eden made it clear that any opinions or judgments he expressed were entirely his own and had no wider authority.

The last year had been one of the most anxious and' critical in British history, he said. It was too early to assess the full consequences nor would anything be gained by arguing the respective merits of the divergent points of view. “The events of this month,” lie went on, “by their stark and sudden tragedy have imposed their lesson upon all statesmen and all lands. There is now universal agreement as to the peril which confronts us all. It is a peril based on the tyrannical abuse of power in this smash-and-grab new world.”

The existence of such conditions must undermine all international confidence and shatter that respect for international engagements upon which civilisation depended. In certain of their aspects foreign affairs did not differ so greatly from domestic affairs. At home or abroad all intercourse depended in the last resource upon the keeping of promises. “If a man has played you false,” continued Mr Eden “whether it be in private life or in business, ylou would not think it wise to trust him* again without adequate safeguard. Such precautions are all the more necessary in international affairs.

“The state of affairs that confronts us now admits, unfortunately, of no disguise. For some Powers force is the only determining factor of policy. While such a state of mind exists no course is left to peace-loA’ing nations but to unite in resistance to further aggression. If we embark upon that course with vigour and determination we can yet make it plain to those who worship, force that aggression does not pay.” ‘ • It was small wonder that in such conditions as now obtained it appeared to some that the world was returning to the savagery of the Dark Ages. A formidable task confronted the freedom-loving democracies if they were to survive. “No comparable challenge has ever been., offered, in scope and character. It has no parallel in history. To face the racketeering of power-politics confidence iii the national leadership and self-discipline within the State are essential. Thus we may, even at this late hour, be f able to rebuild an international order, restore respect for international, engagements, aqd save civilisation from the catastrophe that threatens our own time,” conchided .Mr Eden.