NEUTRALS AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 101, 23 January 1940, Page 6

NEUTRALS AND THE WAR

Mr. Churchill’s latest broadcast address lays very strong emphasis on the neutral countries’ stake in the war. He indulges in very plain speech, which is bound to provoke some heart-searchings in those States, for the points he has raised cannot very well be disregarded. Nothing is surer than that an Allied defeat would place each and all of them at the mercy of the aggressive Powers. It is, therefore, entirely in their own interests, to say nothing of the moral and democratic issues at stake, that they should do everything in their powei to avert such a disaster. As a matter of principle in fact—emphasized by Mr. Churchill—they are morally bound by their signatures to the League of Nations Covenant, notwithstanding the fact that the League and the Covenant are virtually in a state of suspended animation, to consider their position in regard to such acts of aggression as have taken place, and against which they were alignfed as members of the League. The least that may be expected of them is that they should accept uncomplainingly the inconveniences and sacrifices imposed upon them by the blockade of Germany. But, as Mr. Churchill points out, their own losses, the dangers to themselves that lie ahead, and the moral issues involved, demands on their part a more positive attitude. The Allies’ war is their war. They have nothing.to hope for from the dictatorship Powers, and everything to fear. The only prospect of an early peace is by united action on the part of the Allies and the neutrals aligned on a common front against the European terrorists.