NEW DEAL WANTED

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 21, 25 January 1936, Page 9

NEW DEAL WANTED

AMONG THE NATIONS

COLONEL HOUSE'S ESTIMATE

GERMANY AND ITALY

'"Italy must expand or explode." This statement was made by 11 Ducc lo George Sylvester Vicreck some years ago (writes Colonel Edward M. House in the "Daily Mail"). The legions of Mussolini marching into Africa may lay the foundation for a new Roman Empire great enough lo give the Italian- people a chance to breathe. It Mussolini succeeds, Italy will expand in Africa without exploding in Europe. Let us hope that this may be done j without improperly exploiting the rights of other people. What Mussolini said of Italy holds true equally of Germany and Japan. Every statesman will admit in private conversation that Germany, Italy, and Japan need reservoirs into which to pour their man power and from which to draw those necessities and raw materials which Nature denied them. But the great possessing nationsGreat Britain, France, the United States, and Kussia—are unwilling to grant to their less fortunate fellows more than crumbs that fall from thencolonial table. "THE SO-CALLED PEACE." Hate suspicion, and economic disaster walked in the trail of the so-called Peace Treaty of Versailles. The Peace Treaty deprived Germany of all her colonies; it did not fulfil the colonial promises made to Italy; and Japan was held in check. As a result, Germany produced Hitler, the over-compensation of her inferiority complex; Mussolini stirred up trouble in Europe; and Japan is looking for her easiest and most effective channel into which she may pour her superfluous population and trade. There can be no stability until the vital demands of these three great nations are met. I do not recommend annexation by force, nor the ruthless exploitation of native populations, but some satisfactory arrangement should be reached. Would not Germany be less likely to boil over'it she got back the colonies mandated to her enemies? There arc, possibly, certain regions that, for vital and strategic and other reasons, cannot be returned,. But all legitimate German wishes might be met by various devices. BEFORE THE WAR. For one thing, it should not be impossible to revive the agreement between England and Germany made shortly before the World War. It is generally understood that there was a provisional treaty already initialled by the British Foreign Minister, which gave Germany the right to acquire by purchase the Portuguese colonies. If the Reich receives some of its old colonies, and if she can purchase the Portuguese colonies and maybe the Belgian Congo, Germany will be, kept busy. Her thoughts will not steal towards her neighbours' property in Europe (although certain adjustments in the East would still be advisable). A contented Germany and a contented Italy will be more efficient guarantees of world peace than any pacts or treaties, secret or avowed. Most Westerners look upon the Japanese as the most likely breeders of serious international trouble. They recognise parts of Central Europe as' disturbing areas, but it is felt, rightly or wrongly, that with the Great Powers bent on peace, any trouble arising in this part of our mundane sphere may be localised. JAPAN'S MOVES. With Japan it is different. Japan cannot be controlled. It looks as if she intends to carry out any policy that appears to her leaders as of benefit to the country's larger purposes. Already several major moves have been made in this direction. One was the withdrawal from the League of Nations in order to have unrestricted action. Another was the notice that she had no intention of renewing the Washington Naval Treaty. , From my point of view both were mistaken. I think they are choosing the wrong time and the wrong methods. The world is in too much turmoil now. It needs composure if it is to right itself. I have had the opportunity to discuss the problems of Japan with some of the wisest of her statesmen. I had been somewhat prejudiced against Japan by the clamour of her militarists and by her refusal to co-operate with other nations. Today I see the situation in a different light. There are two opposing groups in Japan, one led by the younger militarists and the other by such mature statesmen as the Count Makino. The situation there is not very different from what it is elsewhere among the Great Powers, including the United States. Blatant propaganda for increased armaments on land and sea makes the public -believe that the safety of their country is in danger. A COMMON PURPOSE. Until recently an overwhelming proportion of the Japanese desired peace and believed that it could be assured by a decrease in armaments rather than by violent increases. This opinion may still be that of the majority. I hope it is, but the militarists are moro noisy there. The militarists are isolationists. Clamouring for a big army and a big navy, they want to live without interference, or co-operation with the rest of the world. If this party gains control, trouble will almost certainly be the result. But I have confidence in the sober judgment of the masses of Japan, and if we do our part, the future will sec us working with them for a common purpose. We in the United States cannot refuse to be our brothers' keepers; we cannot "disinterest" ourselves in Europe and Asia. Chance, destiny, or fate—call it what you will—has given us an opening to take leadership in the effort towards the betterment of our race. If we heed the isolationists we shall become the China of the Western world. I say this with all respect for the Chinese. They are a remarkable people, with a unique civilisation behind them, but their theory of government is centuries behind the times. The yellow race, led by its most progressive .members, will coalesce eventually. It is desirable that this bloc —almost inevitable if to the weight of numbers is added the new impetus which China as well, as Japan has received from the Western world—should not be imbued with antagonism against the white race. But it will be thus imbued if we are un\villing to envisage a new deal internationally as well as nationally. Germany will be dissalisrred until she regains what the exile in Doom has called her "place in the sun." The tension in Europe will lead to new disasters unless the imperial urge of Mussolini has the opportunity to spend itself on African soil. Japan will see red until her crying needs are acknowledged. The four Powers possessing the world—Great Britain, France, Russia, and the United States—must realise that mankind can no longer be governed by the adage: "He that, hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall bo taken even that which he hath."

Chaos and catastrophe will be upon us unless those that have among the Powers are willing to share in some way with those that have not.