A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 7

A BACKGROUND TO THE NEWS

Baha’ u’ llah

The New History Society of New York, an organisation founded on the “principles of Baba’ u’ Hall and Abdul Balia” is offering prizes to New Zealand -and Australian youths for essays. The principles of this organisation are to be found in Babiism, a religion founded in Persia in 1843. Its creed is a mixture of the idealism of Buddhism, Christianity, and Mysticism. The name is derived from the title Babed-Din, Gate of Faith, borne by its founder The most conspicuous and influential \ member of the sect was Mirza Husayn All’ entitled Baha’ a’ allah (1817-92) (“the splendour of God”). The sect was opposed by the religious authorities in Persia, but disciples went forth as missionaries, notable among them being a woman of great beauty and noble character, a'poetess Qurratu’l-’ Ayn, who, with others, was put to death in Teheran with atrocious cruelty. Many suffered persecution and otheis died by the sword, the authorities wholeheartedly disliking the new religion, especially as the founder had declared himself the “central point” of a new divine revelation, and his followers recognised him as the universal lord. The sect, however, in spite of prolonged persecution, varied by an attempt on the life of the Shah, was by no means completely suppressed. It has now many adherents not only in Persia, but in India, China, Japan anti North Africa. Since 1900 many Americans have adopted the religion. The resurrection of the body is denied, but some form of personal immortality is generally, though not universally, accepted. The intelligence, integrity and morality of the Babiis are high, but their efforts to improve the social position of woman have been much exaggerated. Singapore Base. Mr. Ward Price, in an article in the London “Daily Mail.” has described the Singapore Naval Base as “the Empire’s costliest white elephant, a major blunder which Japan regards with resentment,” and affording no protection to Australia or New Zealand or the Far East. “The building of the Singapore Base,” says Major R. V. C. Bodley, in his “Drama of the Pacific,” and published, significantly enough, in Japan, and dedicated, even more significantly, to Lord Rothermere, controller of the “Daily Mail,” was regarded by the Japanese as a menace to themselves. But although this sun-baked, unhealthy island is the western entrance or exit to the Pacific, there is no reason why it should not exist with an Anglo-Japanese Alliance in force. Singapore commands the Indian Ocean around which lie nearly three-fourths of the land territories of the British Empire. Practically all the tea, jute, zinc, rubber, wool, nitrates, hemp, tin. rice, and other foodstuffs and raw materials which go to Britain come from | this area. Australia and New Zealand, quite unprotected against armed at- ' tack, are under the guardianship of Singapore. But could Singapore alone, with Britain at war with some other country, and Japan hostile, fulfil its role? I do not think so. With part of her fleet fighting in European waters and another part defending her African Dominions, England could not hope with the residue to hold her own against Japan in the Pacific. But if the Anglo-Japanese treaty of 1902 were revived, the peace of the Far East will be assured, and with it a basis for peace, in the whole world.” Fiji Islands. The Duke of Gloucester is visiting' Fiji, where he witnessed an exhibition of fire-walking on the island of. Beqa. Fiji, or more correctly Viti, comprises between 200 and 250 Islands of which about 80 are inhabited, lying about 1800 miles north-east of Sydney, and 1200 miles nortli of 1W Zealand. The area is 7451 square miles. The . principal island, Viti Levu (Great Fiji), claims roughly half of this area, and Vanua Levu (Great Land) a quarter. The larger islands are mountainous, rising to heights -of over 4000 feet. Nearly all are clothed from base to summit with thick foliage, while tropical plants grow in abundance in the valleys. The islands were discovered on March 5,1643, by Abel Tasman. The Fijians are a well-made, stalwart race. They are tractable, docile and hospitable. 'The oldest established church in Fiji is the Methodist Mission, founded in 1835. Fiji possesses probably the most healthy tropical climate in the world. Malarial fever is unknown. Experience has shown that the climate is well suited to European women and children. The chief industries are the cultivation and manufacture of raw sugar, the production of copra, rubber, greenfruit, pearlshell, trochus shell, turtle shell and beche-de-mer, the growth and manufacture of tobacco and the cultivation of rice. February and March are the hottest months, and July and August the coolest. From June to the end of October is the period of least rain; the heavier rains falling in the hot season may exceed. 100 inches. Beqa, where the tire-walking displays.are carried out, is 13 square miles in area. The fire-walking performance has been carefully watched by credible witnesses, and there is uo doubt whatever regarding its genuineness, No preparation is rubbed on the feet of the performers, and the latter appear to . suffer no ill effects whatever. Food is afterwards cooked on the stones. Anglo-Japanese Alliance. Yesterday’s editorial in "The Dominion” referred to the question of whether the Anglo-Japanese Alliance could be revived. The two vital clauses in tliat Alliance which was arranged in 1902 were:—(l) If either Great Britain or Japan in the defence of their respective interests should become involved in war with another power, the other high-contracting party will main- > tain its strict neutrality and use its efforts to prevent other powers from joining in hostilities against its allies. (2) If in the above event any other power or powers should join in Hostilities against their ally, the other high-contracting party will come to its assistance and will conduct the war in common and make peace in mutual agreement with it. The Anglo-Japanese Alliance was a continuing treaty, terminable 12 months after denunciation by one side or the other. Since its renewal in .1911 the Covenant of the lieague of Nations had come into force. Notice had been given by the British and Japanese Governments that in points where the Covenant and the Alliance were inconsistent, the terms of the Covenant should prevail. But. the United States had an ill-concealed dislike for the Alliance, Japan was desirous of adhering to the Alliance. Great Britain did not wish to offend either Japan or Ihe United States. Also Canada ami Australia wanted Great Britain to <le uounce the Treaty for the purpose of a closer co-operation with the United States. On December 13, 1921, the Alliance was superseded by a FourPower Treaty (Great Britain, France. United States, Japan) for the maintenance of the status quo in the Pacific. This Treaty was not an Alliance but a regional understanding..