The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, August 3rd, 1937. A NEW “LOCARNO?”

Grey River Argus, 3 August 1937, Page 4

The Grey River Argus TUESDAY, August 3rd, 1937. A NEW “LOCARNO?”

A move that may betoken some alteration in the foreign policy of Britain is that just taken by the nexv Prime Minister. In his letter to Signor Mussolini, he suggests that in a couple of months’ time there might be a meeting held in London of the Poxvers xvhieh xvere signatory to the Treatx’ of Locarno. This, of course, means the bringing together of Britain, France, Italy and Germany. Since Locarno xvent into the discard, there have been varied developments in Europe, including the conclusion of the Franco-Russian alliance, the occupation of the Rhineland, the conquest of Abyssinia, and the Spanish civil xvar, not to mention the latest outside'conflict in the Far East. It had been a matter of conjecture as to- xYhat the advent of Mr. Neville Chamberlain as Prime Minister might bring by xvay of a variation in the policy that xv'as folloxved by his predecessor, Earl Baldxvin. That policy xvas certainly very hard to folloxv. Its mouthpiece, so far as it used to be avoxved, xvas more Mr. Eden than his leader; but in Mr. Eden’s case avoxvals often varied very greatly' from acts. Maybe Mr. Chamberlain, in taking himself a direct step, signified by his personal Tetter, intends to adopt a more open, not to say a more consistent, course, in diplomacy. A long time viexvpoint, as the Americans say, may be inferred as the impulse behind his suggestion of a renexval of the continental concert of Poxvers. It xvould be calculated to exert an influence in several directions, such as that of Spain, that of the Far East, and that, of Central Europe, leaving aside the Near East and the Mediterranean. Britain xvould, for inslance, xvelcome an immediate cessation of hostilities, military .

or otherwise, almost everywhere. The status <[uo is her policy more probably than that of any other 1 Power. ' She has little to gain but much to lose from changes. It i is suggested that Italy would expect, as a preliminary to a new Locarno, or, perhaps, it tvould be i better to say, a London agreement, the recognition by Britain of her position as the possessor of Abyssinia. Mr. Chamberlain is said to be anxious for that question to be settled, so that recognition might be one inducement for .Italian co-operation. In any case, the new assurance of Britain that the Mediterranean is not the primary object of her rearmament is said to have reassured Italy. Recently the German Foreign jMinister xvas to have tnsited London, but the Spanish situation deterred him from coming, but it is plain that in the meantime diplomatic exchanges have been going on. Otherwise, nothing would probably have transpired regarding a nexv “Locarno.” What has eventuated is hopeful so- far as it goes, indicating the possibility of .European appeasement, with the likelihood of relaxation, both in armament, racing and of internal tension, even terrorism in several directions. It does not, however, appear that the great. Powers, upon coming doxvn to stern realities, are so much concerned as formerly xvith the Geneva venue. Those who repose more faith in the League as an organ of xvorld peace would not demur, of. course, at any other means of restoring a general modus vivendi. Perhaps, the British. Government reckon a nexv situation is arising xvhich must be met with a new understanding. Continental countries are mostly in a state of anxiety, some through restricted resources of credit and trade, and others through political uncertainties. Britain has, from her association xvith France, and consequently from French commitments, been in a constrained position in relation to other Powers, some great and others small. The result has been a groxvth of distrusts. Belgium’s xvithdrawal from the Anglo-French understanding some time ago xvas certainly turned to some advantage ' when her Prime Minister, M. Van Zeeland, after his defeat of the .Rexist leader, was given a commission to sound America on economic accommodation. Vet the straw r that showed how the xvind bleu’ Yvas the evident anxiety of Belgium to escape military entanglement. A nexv European understanding would help toxvard a world understanding. _ It is not a question of decreeing permanent place. Recent history shoxvs this idea to be a chimeia. If a definite period of peace can be assured, it is the best oi. all foundations for building a still longer period, and tor restoring meantime good relations in nil forms of international intercourse.