The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1934. TOWARDS PEACE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 1, 2 January 1934, Page 6

The Auckland Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, The Echo and The Sun

TUESDAY, JANUARY 2, 1934. TOWARDS PEACE.

For the cause that lacks assistance. For the torong that needs resistance For the -future in the distance, And the good that ise can do

Peace Prospects for the coming year are much brighter than they were at the beginning of the year just passed. Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, the president of the Carnegie endowment for international peace, says that there is no spirit of war in the Western world, not even in Germany. President Roosevelt has also not only proclaimed that the policy of the United States henceforth would be unalterably opposed to armed intervention in dealing with her neighbours, but he has put forward a three-point programme for international peace which follows closely the lines of the non-aggression pacts concluded by the Soviet Government with its neighbours and the draft disarmament convention submitted by the British Government at Geneva.

Much attention has been given to the aggressive attitude of Germany, but there is a counterpart to which too little attention has been given. Hitler has made many public declarations affirming that war was a calamity to be avoided. He has held out the olive branch to France. He has. affirmed that there is no territorial cause of dispute, -with the possible exception of the Saar, which he assumes will be returned to Germany. Franco has replied cautiously, but nevertheless in such fashion as to render negotiations possible. The caution has been dictated by some misgiving as to whether Germany's offer of friendship is sincere, but French statesmen have shown themselves willing to listen to any overtures, though they have intimated that they will also judge of Germany's acts. The attitude of the Little Entente and Poland has to be considered by French statesmen, and they have to be careful that in any understanding arrived at with Germany nothing shall be done to prejudice France with her Continental allies. So far nothing has been definitely refused or accepted, but proposals have been made by both sides which may lead to a real Franco-German understanding.

In the movement to promote peace Britain, Italy and Russia have also played their part. Russia has concluded pacts,of non-aggression with her neighbours from the Baltic to the Pacific, and agreements with Italy and France. Thus there has been a real advance towards peace, and the coming year gives good ground for hope of further achievement.