Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1948. WORLD CRISIS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 68, Issue 135, 19 March 1948, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, MARCH 19, 1948. WORLD CRISIS

Anyone who made a careful study of the pages of last night’s “Guardian” could not help but ha.ve been struck by the number of stories relating to Communism or Communists. President Truman’s address to the joint session of Congress was inspired by the situation in Europe, which, is in many respects due to Communist activity. There was a story concerning a battle between police and strikers in Queensland, in which a Communist M.P. was injured; another story dealt with the serious situation in China as a result of Communist gains;' there was reference to a resolution passed by Victoria College Students “congratulating M. Gottwald on the triumph pf democracy in Czechoslovakia”; there was Bishop Lyons’ speech in Christchurch, in which he stat - ed the attitude of the Roman Catholic Church, and there was also the stand taken by the Dominion executive of the Returned Services’ Association in view of the activities of disloyal elements in the community. Altogether a considerable amount of space was devoted to the activities of Communists all over the world, but it is well that it should be so, for the time has come for all the democracies to take a very definite stand. The argument has been advanced more than once that too much space is devoted to the Communists ; that all the publicity they receive is the best propaganda they can have. The newspapers would be doing the nation a dis-service if they ignored what is happening in Europe and elsewhere. But for the newspapers the world would not be able to face the fnenace which threatens the liberties of many nations, for they would know nothing of what is happening until it was too late. New Zealand has had plenty of warning, and it should be heeded before it is too late. So far as the international situation is concerned, the public can draw their own conclusibns from the drastic steps which President Truman has urged on Congress. It can be accepted that he would not urge the , reintroduction of conscription or propose universal military training unless his advisers were convinced of the dire need for such steps. American writer’s liken the atmosphere in Washington to pre-war days, and express the belief that a showdown is not far distant. We said only this week that we did not think any nation s was prepared for war, or was in a fit state to wage a war, but at

the same time something 1 has to he done to bring about a change in the present electritally-charged atmosphere. We know exactly where America stands ; or at least we know the attitude the President has asked the nation to adopt. Five other nations have signed a 50-year treaty of Economic Co-operation and Military Aid. Together these Powers have shown Russia that they are determined to. stand together. They have not closed the door. The way is still open for the establishment of a sound and lasting peace. , Yesterday’s events were of vital world importance, and it now remains to be seen what Soviet' reaction will be.