The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MAY 11, 1936. WHAT NEXT

Hokitika Guardian, 11 May 1936, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, MAY 11, 1936. WHAT NEXT

The world is perturbed naturally about the future of the League of Nations. So niucli hopefulness was founded on its effect, that the disillusionment which has' attended its in-

tended good offices of late has produced- profound disappointment. The depth of that feeling is accentuated by the great loss of life and destruction of a nation which attempted valiantly to observe the League Covenant, and yet lias been sacrificed by -a co-partner in that Covenant. The

break-down has been disastrous in the

etxreme. Then what next? It is clear there is a desire the League should go on, and if so what of the sanctions against the offending nation. Is there to he further capitulation to the victors who defied the League, r.nd who now would appropriate the con quered territory. Are the sanctions to be withdrawn as a further sign, of ' the League’s impotence ? In this critical hour there are signs that tiiie change of. Government in France will mean closer real co-operation with the League than has been the case hitherto —but it is too late to save the debacle in Abyssinia. British , opinion is openly divided about coni

tinuing the sanctions, and political differences are arising. As to the future of the League, it is clear the're must be some tangible authority behind it. If it is to. te cohesive, the associated countries must be prepared to make real sacrifices. The pacifist policy so long urged in many quarters caused a serious depletion in Britain’s strength when the time for real action was necessary, and now we find, a reckless race to make good the deficiencies in defence. Many of the same pacifists are now'complaining about the plight of t-li’e League falling down on its task, but must bear a. share of the blanje for advocating a policy which contributed to the result so much deplored now. At the moment, 'the "difference in political views' is naturally of 1 concern, as it would appear the Pritish Cabinet is not of, oitC mind, hut the Lea-

gue members ‘meeting this week may help to eharify' the, position.’ It is essential to have a united League and so 1 fay that has not leen the case. In the instances , where Japan and Germany left the Council, and Italy flouted, it, there was not the, power to say them nay. Italy appears . disposed to conform to the new position erected by her military achievement, but that would not be fair to the over lorded Abyssinians. Japan is likely to continue her own way, and is so. en con raped because of the geographical positjon occupied, now that China is mastered practically. Germany is patching the course of events, and will please herself in the end, as her policy has been of late. There is .little practical. stability to be secured from that quarter. It remains for the rest of the Powers to consider the new alignment now necessary and the forces which must be organised to secure the League’s authority. A strong League requires a military backing.obviously, and unless that can bo arranged lor. on secure grounds, the hopes , for the League so far as assisting to maintain;. 1 world peace are remoter The future of the League therefore becomes the' 'central feature of the nresent task tod establish hopeful world conditions.; n•’