World News in Story and Picture

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 37, 13 February 1937, Page 7 (Supplement)

World News in Story and Picture

Pan-America and Canada. The Pan-American Conference at Buenos Ayrcs has concluded without attaining the success hoped for. Nevertheless n great deal has been achieved, if "only the fact that all the nations fur the first time met on an equal basis. As I told you some weeks ago, hitherto the United States of America has endeavoured todominate the conferences and superimpose the Monroe Doctrine on all discussions. However, now that the selfclaimcd rights of Washington under thnt doctrine have been openly repudiated l>v several Latin American States, a common basis of action in the Americas is possible. It is to be regretted that Canada, despite a hint that her presence would be welcomed, did not participate in the recent conference. Her status is now tantamount to that of an independent nation, a fact emphasised by the exercise of her rights to maintain diplomatic representatives nbrond. Although thinly populated, Cannda is one of the largest of the American countries, albeit a large

portion iVs valueless. Furthermore, and of greater importance, industrially and in every other way she is one of the most influential. No Pan-American Conference could possibly be complete and therefore successful without her. No doubt Washington's continuous previous harping on the Monroe Doctrine made Canada light shy # of any continental American discussions, as she resented the implied domination just as much as the Latin American Republics did. However, with that out of the way, there is no reason why she should not now lake her rightful place at All-Ameri-ca n Councils, just as she has her place at the League of Nations with a vote of an independent nation. It would be to Canada's advantage and incidentally to the advantage of the British Commonwealth of Nations, as ii]) to the present Britain has no direct, voice in Ail-American internal affairs, although possessing more

World Events Explained.

By ARPAD SZIGETVARY.

territory on that continent than any. other • nation, not excepting the United States of America and the United States of Brazil. ■ ■ '■ Thus with Canada represented at American conferences a somewhat analogous position would be rectified and the Empire granted a right it is entitled to. Someone Has Blundered. To Japan her alliance with Germany to fight Communism lias so far brought nothing but trouble. Before the understanding foreign nations were euspicious of Japan's aims. Now they are doubly so, and relations with China, Russia, Britain and the United States of America, the countries most concerned in the Far East, have been more strained than ever. It is a case of. suspicious waiting.' This situation has been caused by an understanding with Germany, a

country' which politically at the .moment, has.bii.t little .influence in the Far East.' "■£-'■' '■'"-. : . It: would seem that Japan has made a grave blunder,. ; •■• ■':'.%'. British v. Italian Colonisation. Italy used insignificant , border fights as an. excuse ■: for; starting a war contrary to all treaties. Britain treats these border fights as a : mat-, ter of course; . •■ . "In recent years," the latest British Colonial Office report on British Somalilaml states, "conditions have been peaceful with the exception of inter-tribal raids both in the Protectorate and outside its borders. As indulgence in these is a hereditary pastime of all Soinalis they are not taken seriously, as they can be checked by extension of administration." The Italians endeavour to "civilise" natives by the use of bombs, shells and poison gas. The British, nowadays, with (ine or two exceptions, by sound administration,