The Star. THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1923. THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING NATIONS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 4 January 1923, Page 4

The Star.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 4, 1923. THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING NATIONS.

Delivered every evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera Manila, Norn.anby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna. Opunake. Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea, ' Waverley, Mokoia, VHwkauiara. Ohangai, Meremere, Fraeer Boftd, and Ararat*. ''

The opinion is becoming more widespread that if the world is ever to reach a state of permanent peace it must be through the general adoption of the Anglo-Saxon plan of arbitration as against dictation and force. Time after time proposals for world peace and disarmament have been brought forward and discussed, aiid' en some occasions it has seemed as if they would be accepted and :u-.ted upon, but unfortunately sue;'o*o:l, the great enemy of peace, has arisen and defeated the plans of those who have been moved by the most altruistic thoughts. It is remarkable that the fine sentiments made by so many great leaders in favour of peace have not led to greater progress. At the present time Britain, the United States, and Japan are pledged to reductions in naval armaments, and it is encouraging to find that some of the American Senators are urging that another conference 011 armaments be held in the near future. We are sure that Britain will not fail to accept an invitation and do her best to co-operate, for our nation knows that friendship between tlie United States and Britain is essential for the welfare of the world. The American people have changed their attitude to Britain in recent years, and as Mr Power, in his book "The American Era," puts it: "We are the Anglo-Saxon reserves—reserves inexhaustible in men, in wealth, and in creative power. We pride ourselves upon our local distinctiveness. We reserve the right to carp and criticise our kindred (an unlovely Anglo-Saxon characteristic). But one great fact stands out above all these symptoms of separateness and repulsion—we shall never again fight against AngloSaxons. I have put the question to persons of every shade of opinion, to persons jealous and critical of Britain as well as to her sympathisers: 'Is there the slightest probability—a probability of which a prudent people need to take any political account —that England and America will ever again be at war?' And the answer, whether willing or reluctant, has always been the same: 'No, that is one of the things that will not happen again. We shall quarrel and scold, but we shall make up our quarrels without war.' If this is true, it is a supremely important truth. It is a sheet anchor not only to the Anglo-Saxon peoples, but to a storm-tossed world. The assurance of peace within the Anglo-Saxon domain is the largest conquest that peace has thus far made. It is the one great steadying force in time of world crisis, the one substantial reality in the dreamland League of Nations." We have quoted that passage on a previous occasion, but it states the position so accuratley, in our opinion, that it is interesting to recall it at the present time, when the Americans are seeking another conference On armaments. President Harding said in an interview some time ago that "Americans of the old stock look upon England as the Mother Country, and we regard that as a cherished inheritance not to be forgotten." British people believe that America can do a great deal to help in finding a road to permanent peace, and if the two great Anglo-Saxon branches will co-operate closely there is reason to expect that great progress will be made. The League of Rations nas already done much valuable work and prevented conflicts between some of the smaller States, but if America can be induced to join the League it will become an even greater power for peace, and nations will be more willing to accept its decisions. Combined effort by the United States and the British Empire could not easily be resisted, and we believe that the time is not far distant when these two great Anglo-Saxon nations will be able to speak with one voice and set before the world a comprehensive scheme for permanent peace and the ultimate disarmament of all the nations. Acceptance by the nations may take a long time and some may show reluctance, but if the AngloSaxon proposals are based upon righteousness their ultimate acceptance should not be doubted.