WHAT OF RUSSIA?

Gisborne Times, Volume LVI, Issue 6321, 25 February 1922, Page 6

WHAT OF RUSSIA?

THE KEY TO WORLD PEACE

SO SAY'S SIR PHILIP GIBBS

Thus Sir Philip Gibbs on the b\ ashingten Conference :—lt is bb ashington’s great chance in this new year to lead the way to the throttling of these fears. I believe Harding and Hughes have the courage to hunt tiiose bogeys to their lairs, and it will be good hunting. .In my belief, the key to the whole situation of world peace now is in Russia. I have held that belief for three years, and I hold it more strongly now after my visit to Russia. If the United States. Great Britain, France, and Germany were to offer co-operation in the reconstruction of Russia on generous terms, in return for absolute guarantees of Russian demobilisation of her armies and propaganda, with counter-guarantees that Poland would disarm and that there would be r.o interference with the internal politics of Russia, provided they maintained a civilised code and granted political liberty to their people—an offer which I believe would be accepted and carried out —most of the misery in Central Europe would he relieved, not rapidly, alas, but surely. Before the war'. Russia imported 70 per cent, of her manufactured goods. Now she wants 100 per cent. Before the war. out of everv 10 loaves eaten in English households, the wheat for one came from Russia. Germany would be able to pay more in reparations if she had American and British capital in co-operation with her industry on behalr of Russia. bb'ith renovated transport system Russia would be able to feed and pay back in timber, furs, hides, oil and grain. The demobilisation and recovery of Russia and Poland would help the Baltic nations and all of the rest of Europe to enduring peace and reviving trade. France would get her payments from Germany, and by this trade co-operation with her old enemy. would be more easy in her mind. Germany, dependent for her good behaviour on the financial credit of the United States and Britain, would find her future insured by peace. That is my little pet theory for the the next step in the way of peace. I believe it mav happen in 1922, and already there is private talk of some such scheme between Briand and Lloyd George and between the Ambassadors of Britain, Germany, and the United States. It would be the biggest thing to happen in the history of the world. It would he a merry and happv new year in England above all countries, where this Christmasiide lias been spoiled by the wretchedness of unemployed men, by the stagnation of trade in all the industrial cities, by deep anxieties.