1914 AND 1939.

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 2, 24 April 1939, Page 4

1914 AND 1939.

| there are some aspects of the European situation as it stands to-day which are comparable wilth the situation in 1914 on the eve of the Great War, in one respect there is a marked \ difference. In 1914 the position of Great Britain was doubtful. ' She had no military alliance with France and Russia, though she 1 had pledged the integrity of Belgium, and right up to the. very ' last day it was not known} whether, in the event of war breaking • out, Britain would be actively engaged. The British Cabinet, itself was so undecided on the subject that when Britain did decide to enter the war, three Ministers resigned'. To-day there is a | marked difference. Now the Cabinet?, unanimous and firm, is taking tihe place where all patriotic Britons like to see it —in the lead, planning and working for peace, but leaving no doubt in the minds of anyone that if a European war is begun Britain w*ll be in the field', immediately against the aggressor. To-day, Britain Istands in military alliance with France, Rumania and Greece, j and also with Poland; and is seeking a similar alliance with Rus- | sia»" not for the purpose: of seizing another nation's national territories, but for the purpose of protecting the lambs from the wolves. True it is that a couple of lambs have been killed and eaten already, but Britain, doubtless profoundly regretting that what appeared to be the right thing to do in the interests of justice and peace six months ago has proved' to be wrong, has how taken the lead in Europe's diplomacy to prevent further slaughter. It was said in 1914 that had Germany known the British Empire would line up against her, the war would not have begun. To-day there is no doubt of the position of the Empire. Will this fact; have the effect so passionately hoped?