Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3rd., 1935. WAR CLOUDS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 August 1935, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. SATURDAY, AUGUST 3rd., 1935. WAR CLOUDS.

'J’WENTY-ONE years ago, tomorrow, Britain entered the Great War. a struggle that lasted much longer than was expected, the losses of all concerned in life and property being tremendous. So impressed were all the combatants with i he horrors and ravages of the struggle that it was resolved the war should end war, and never again would civilisation be subjected to such i-rushing blows. Today. that resolve has worn thin, and far from insisting on peace and disarmament, Europe is facing the dread possibility of further conflicts. Italy’s attitude towards Abyssinia, if persisted in. must lead to a deadly encounter, and may develop into a challenge bringing in other nations.

The debate in the Commons, on Thursday, on the subject of peace preservation ami disarmament was notable for rwo features. First, as is usual when outside threats are made, the unity of the nation in a crisis, was made apparent, al! political parties in Ihe House, assuring the (lovcrnmeni of support. Secondly, the new Foreign Secretary was frank about Ihe outlook. He did not pretend that all

was well. On the contrary, he warned the House, and the nation, that the Government had considerable anxiety about the Ettropeaii outlook, so much so, that arrauge-

moots had been made, if the need arose, of calling the House together again, before October, jhe date fixed for the end of the Summer recess. Cheers greeted his pronouncement that Britain would be brave enough and strong enough, to uphold the peace policy so carefully nursed during recent trying years, and these cheers will be reeehoed throughout the Empire. Britain has long shown her good faith in the matter of international concord, disarmament, and willingness to make sacrifices for the cause of peace, but if other nations are uTiresponsive, and insist on militarism being dominant, Britain has no alternative but to defend the cause of justice and honour.

Britain has shown clearly that she does not seek war-like adventure. She has run terrible risks to induce others, to follow her altruistic example. Peace has been preached in and out of season, and so far, mainly through British influence, war has been averted. It is to be hoped that such degree of success will continue. It would be foolish, however, to refuse to face the facts of the situation. Italy is bellicose, and not only towards weak Abyssinia. The German internal situation grows worse, and there is a risk that Hitler, to silence opposition at’home, may attack abroad. France, if as eager for peace as Britain, is nervous of the increasing German strength, and will not place too great reliance on Italy’s new friendliness. Some Powers in Europe appear to interpret friendliness as agreement with any policy they wish to follow, whatever its merits and consequences. Such friendships are worth little, as sooner or later, they must snap. Those who advocate Britain being indifferent to happenings on the Continent are short-sighted. Apart from treaties and covenants she has signed, Britain is bound in her own interests, to exercise her influence to keep the peace in Europe, and to uphold the League of Nations.