"THE MORAL OF AUGUST 4"

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 5

"THE MORAL OF AUGUST 4"

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your leading' article on the above, subject is, I think, an,indication of the biased international .vision that led England into the Franco-German war of. 1914. If such thinking is to control our futu^e international relations, then one can understand the Empire's .somewhat extensive defence:. preparations now being made for the next war, which will probably not be merely a ghastly "European" war, but an "Asiatic" war as well. It-certainly seems likely that tho next great waT ' will include the pacific area of Asia and Australasia. England's participation in a FrancoGerman strugglo will bo fraught with greater danger, to'her Empire and its peoples than was the case in 1914. That strugglo was touch and go, taking four years of terrific effort and requiring.the help of Italy, America,' aiid Japan- (not to. mention other smaller nations) to prevent a German victory. What is the position today? There is little if any prospect of these . powerful; nations (Italy,-America, or. Japan) taking part in the next Franco-German war on. the side of France. America has ; learned what it is to take 'part, financially and militarity, in European quarrels', and is not likely to let herself become .involved in the next European war.

Italy has got -the territory- shq was after when she wasXincluced to- come into the last \ war.,' against. her. allies, under the Triple Alliance, and has nothing further "to gain at Germany's or Austrian's expense.- The bait is tho other'- way round today,- tempting Preach possessions only being available, hence there is a distinct possibility of a renewal of the Triple Alliance and the entry of Italy • into the next' Franco-German war on the side of Germany. Japan is no longer pro-British, thanks to England's recent;trade policy whereby Japan has been substantially "quota-ed" out of her cotton textile trade with such 'Asiatic 'markets '■ as Hong Kong and Singapore, not to mention the many: other Crown colonies that have been dictated to on the same lines by the Colonial.Office in London; . During the. last war had Japan, instead of helping us, joined the German side, there can be no: doubt that thp result would have been' a German victory and the" parcelling out of British and French territory in the Pacific .area

and elsewhere to Germany, Austria, and' Japan. . Then we bavo the increasing irritation caused,by the dog-in-the-manger White Australia policy, which (unless it is modified) precludes for all time the overcrowded millions of Asia finding any .immigration outlet in that vast piece of territory. ... ; . There can be little -doubt -;but that the irritaTive stimulus contained in tho matters referred to is sufficient to possibly turn Japan into nn.active enemy, should Jin opportunity occur, as it jlndoubtedly could occur if : England is foolish enough to become involved ia another European war. In view of tho present-day outlook, is.it reasonable or right for. British '. statesmen.,to; be so anxious to involve their country in tho next Franco-German war? What have we to gain by joining; in the, quai'i'dls of Europe? and. Germany ara deadly enemies to each other,';and have fought again and again...: -In tho : r.year 1870 England, after a •meeting, of" Cabinet presided over by. that Christian statesman the.Et. .Horn ; W. -E. :Gladstone, decided to remain, : absolutely neutral in the; Franco-German war, and lost'nothing by her decision; on fhe contrary, she saved the ■ 'lives of thousands of Englishmen', Frenchmen, and Germans, and was"able tto continue her peaceful, trade and,commerce with, the rest of thp worldancj.'.her. colonies. Have clear-visioned Chris_tian statesmen ceased to control our Empire thatthere should be such a reckless desire to take part in the next Franco-German war, as seems evident from :the. utterance! of our leading statesmen.?—l. am, etc., ■ • ; ■ '1870..