FRIDAY, SETEMBER 7, 1923. THE CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 214, 7 September 1923, Page 4

FRIDAY, SETEMBER 7, 1923. THE CRISIS.

The Italian Premier, after declaring . that the occupation of Corfu is nol J i business of the League's, bids his Minis--11 ters await the decision of the- Council of the League, and adds that he and his colleagues are "sure of their rights and have a linn and tranquil conscience." . The. German* talked in much tho same 5 way about their conscience in 11)1-1. The .' statement about awaiting the decision of the League has little value if Mussolini is determined not to accept that i decision. Mussolini makes a show of consulting his Cabinet, but while he may get some valuable advice from his Ministers, decisions lie mainly with him. lie is the dictator of Italy, and in judging the Italian nation to-ilay we must boar in mind that its puhliq opinion is denied means of disagreeing with him. We know that Kasciati are numerous throughout the country, and that this appeal to Imperialistic pride and cupidity will awaken a response tn only too many breasts. The Fascist i, however, see to it that hostile opinion is strictly muzzled. We must therefore consider the possibility that a proportion of Italian opinion does not agree with the outrageous policy of Mussolini, but that . it is prevented from expressing itself, and we must realise, that action will be ■ taken to prevent the full significance of the world's condemnation from reaching' ' tho Italian people. In time that condemnation must permeate at least to the more enlightened section?, but in the meantime fatal developments may I ha v e occurred. There has been no discordant note in that chorus of foreign comment. The Italian action is wicked : in the extreme, arid the world recognises it as such. Mussolini affects to make light of the "commotion"' in Britain. It is not so long ago that he was swearing; : friendship to Britain and receiving a decoration from the hands of the King. The cynical may ask what, ju view of this Corfu crime, is the value of Koyal l visits. The world's condemnation will lx> expressed through th c League if theleague does its duty, and the question : of the hour is what decision the League ' will take. Britain will exert every | , ounce of her strength for action of some ( ' sort. Anglo-Italian friendship is a very- I 1 valuable thing, but it is not so valuable I s , as Britain's honour and her interest in ( ' I peace, both of which arc bound up in the s ■ success of the League. The smaller ] nations are reported to be rallying to ! ' the League in its crisis, and it is heart- , ening to read that the Belgian Govern- i ment has instructed its delegates to* ' "stand solid" with Britain in enforcing i * respect for the League. The smaller ! < nations recognise the value of the I ' League as a protector of their interests, • I and the only alternative to incessant « j preparation for war and dwelling s always in the shadow of fear. France's ! attitude is reported to be doubtful, but we profoundly hope this is incorrect, f Tho League has never made the same i appeal to France as to Britain, and it is possible that the French Government has been invited to help Italy in return ' for support for the Ruhr policy. If ] France does incline towards ltalv, then 1 the prospect of the League coming ' through this crisis with credit will be ! dark. If, on the other hand, Britain I and France act together, it is almost I • certain that the League will move. The world does not yet know what* ' may be behind this Italian action, . whether or not Mussolini has in mind ] I the permanent occupation of Corfu as | ( ' part of a plan of Imperialistic cxpan- ' sion. We may note the grave report today that Italy has designs against Jugo- . ; tflavia. The more dangerous the plan, : however, the more important it is that it ' should be brought to naught at once ! and international right upheld. The j : threat that if the League acts, Italy will i i leave it, should be brushed aside. A 1 ' strong League minus Italy would be l I much more valuable to the world than , a League that had kept Italy within ) itself but had lost the respect of the ' nations. The whole world is watching. ' The League, in the language of a , I London paper, is challenged to it* 1 'foundations, and if Itnly is allowed to N 1 L r o on as she is. doing the idealists may j I well despair. ,