CONSTRUCTIVE PEACE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 37, 23 November 1939, Page 4

CONSTRUCTIVE PEACE.

One comes across many ordinary thoughtful citizens who are still hoping that a major European war . may yet he averted, writes the Rev. SJ. Marriott, Canon of Westminster, in a letter to the “Manchester Guardian.” They seem also to he unanimous that the only hope of achieving that end lies in putting forward concrete and constructive peace proposals now, before it is too late. The objections to such a course are obvious; it will be considered as a sign of weakness and as retreating before the threat of aggression. But there is one point strongly in its favour—merely, that up to the present no constructive solution of Europe’s trouble lias been put forward at all. A perusal of the interviews and conversations between the former British Ambassador, Sir Novile Henderson, and the Nazi authorities makes it clear that from the beginning Britain left them in no doubt as to what would be her reaction if Poland were attacked. That attitude was undeniably right; but one cannot fail to notice how wholly negative it was. It simply amounted to the repeated statement “You shall not do this.” But of counter-proposals which offered an alternative solution to the deadlock there is no hint. That may have been unavoidable, but it is no less tragic since it condemns Europe to a war of which the length, outcome and consequences no man can foresee. Might it sot, therefore, be some possible help if we made known to the world in concrete and constructive proposals the kind of peace we would suggest.”