THE PACIFIC AND PEACE

Evening Star, Issue 15174, 3 May 1913, Page 2

THE PACIFIC AND PEACE

[By Rev. Jjuras Milne, M.A.] The opening of the Panama Canal is likely to prove an event of world-wide importance. It must especially affect Australia, New Zealand, America,' Canada, China, and Japan, as also Germany and France; in fact, all countries which have interests in the Pacific. An interesting query is as to whether the opening of the great southern ocean to Europe will prove conducive to peace or war. On the whole, development in trade makes for peace; and it may be safely laid down that should it bo possible to keep the canal open at shipping rates encouraging to the trade of all nations for a period of ten or twelve years, thereafter the chance of war would be slight, simply because the risk to possible belligerents should be too great. The opening up, developing, and establishing of, trade routes are far too expensive matters to suffer dislocating readily. This may be why, in anticipation of the opening of the canal, proposals arre already being heard pf for the formation of a league of peace among the nations mainly interested in the development of trade in the Pacific. There is much to commend such an enterprise. Should, e.g., America, Britain, France, and Germany pledge themselves to submit any difference arising between any two or more of them relative to the Pacific to a neutral court of arbitration, and to abide by that court’s decision, then the peace of the southern ocean should be greatly assured. The door of such a peace league might well be left open for the admission of other nations on like terms, and so Japan and China might likewise bo induced to enter, thus practically guaranteeing the peace of the Pacific.

When it is reflected that the opening of the Panama route means the direct admission of_ Europe to the great southern sea, then is it understood how important it is for the maintenance of peace, within its bounds that there should ho a friendly feeling between Germany and Britain. These are the days of entente and alliance, and something of the kind is sorely required to hind the two most powerful nations in Europe in the bonds of a lasting peace, that both may be free the better to pursue a commercial and civilising policy. What is_ wanted in international politics to-day is a statesman who in some such way might effect such lam’ablo object. Certainly the world’s progress and the cause of humanity in general demand that these two nations should he, i the peace. There is room in the world for both, and plenty of work for each of them to do. Both may hold a commission for the developing of the world’s waste lands. Should Germany cast her eyes towards Asia Mmor, or even to the rich lands which lie to the north of Persia—the famous Mesopotamia of old—surely Britain is not so poor in territory that she need frown upon the aspiration of a great sister nation _ thus seeking to take legitimate part in placing a superior civilisation where at present an inferior exists. The sheer necessity resting upon Germany to find territory for her surplus population_ should be faced by Britain in no bellicose, but in a reasonable spirit. On other hand, should Gcrm~ny cease forcing the pace in the construction of ironclads, such policy in itself should greatly conduce to the maintenance of peace in the Pacific, for Britain has interests there which she cannot afford to see even menaced. Let, however, there be sonm clear understanding between the two nations as to policy in the couthom ocean; or, better still and more happily, let Germany and Britain form an allirnce to keep the peace there, and t'.o result could hardly fail of benefit for all concerned. In terms of such an alliance, there is no reason why thousands of Germans should not find a home in Australasia under the British flag. The defence of Australia is a hard matter, mainly by reason of lack of population. Surely, then, here is a source from which many immigrants might be drown. Tho famous Northern Territory, lately transferred from the administration of South Australia to Federal authority, is regarded cs a menace ,to invrsion through its dearth cf inhabitants. It stands thus invitin~ly open to the numerous peoples of Asia, where _ in China, Japan, and elsewhere there is no abundance of rocm for healthy life and development. Were a peace league for tho Pacific thus initiated by Germany and Britain, provision could he made for other countries having interests in the great southern sea joining its membership. America r.nd Franco, e.g- might reasonably be expected to join. With such a combination, peace in the Pacific, at least as far as European Powers are concerned, should bo almost assured. The difficulty which has greatly hindered such friondlv co-opera' ion between America and Britain in the past is, as is weU known, the Irish question. But as this in one way or another gets nearer solution, it may bo confidently expected that the two countries will coma nearer each other. America and Britain, of one I'ngnage r.nd ideal, progressive in thought and every social enactment for the betterment f the race, cannot long remain apart. In the work of civilisation, as it is yet to be done in the Pacific, it will bo stranue if they are not found band in hand. There arc difficulties, too, in the way of France end Germany cooperating in the work of framing of such a peace league as cr.n be readily . prcciated. But such difficulties as pertain to the two great Continental Powers concern mainly European relationships, and should not nece3c_rily I; intensified in the Pacific. Co-op-r-.-tks between France and Germany in B south might load to a better understanding in the north. Further, from (Lt friendly association of France, German^, and Britain in seas so far from, yet soon to_ be so directly accessible to, Europe might be found the initiative to that federation of the European Powers which should go far to assure international peace. The formation of such a peace league, it may be safely reckoned, should save the expenditure of millions of pounds in armament; while its successful working might be expected to prove a precedent for_ the enactment of many an international association making for the peace of the world. The expenditure by the leading for armaments approaches the danger point, in view of the great need of money to facilitate the passing into law and working of many much needed social reforms which have as their aim the amelioration of the lot of the poor and suffering found in their countless hosts in most of the countries of Europe. Whatever, then, will lend to check the wasteful expenditure of wealth attendant upon the growth of armaments in any country, and further will exercise such tendency in keeping with national safety, is surely to be encouraged by every lover of his country and race, be he American, Frenchman, Briton, or German. This is why the possibility of a league of peace for the Pacific should be discussed m the countries mainly interested in its formation; as also it is hoped it may exercise the minds of diplomatists, statesmen, and all who may hold any aiiftonty among- their fellow-men. The crowning victory for peace in the Pacific should be won through China and Japan joining such league as membens; and there are indications that these Powers, although of colored race, should be loath to do so. Their accession, although not necessary for the maintenance of peace; should go far to make war in the Pacific impossible. Surely, then, in view of development impending by reason of the opening of the southern seas through the Panama route to Europe, it behoves, those in authority in the various nations more especially interested to use every influence to exclude, as far as it is humanly possible to do so, international strife from the great ocean whose very name signifies what is most becoming to it—Peacal *