The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the, West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1936. NATIONAL AMBITIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1936, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the, West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1936. NATIONAL AMBITIONS

The ambitions of many of’ the nations at the present are creating a condition of international unrest. Flushed by the success, such as it is, in Abyssinia, and encouraged by the removal of closer relations with Germany, the! Italian Dictator nas been expounding on a high note on the attitude of his country. Somewhat provocative, there is the definite impression that Italy feels in a state of readiness and preparedness, which would be equal to meeting possible eventualities at the shortest notice. Some understanding has been arrived at between Italy ad Germany ' in which perhaps Austria is something of a pawn. On. the other hand, there are many, indications that Germany would wqlcbme a closer, alliance with Britain. Britain has her obligations to France and Belgium in relation to Germany which ar e not likely to he readily dropped, Out friendship with Britain might easily prove the crowning achievement of Herr Hitler. The situation in Spain so far as international relations are concerned, is still complex. Britain maintained a strong position on tne question of non-intervention, and less is being heard of the squabbles and jealousies of some of the nations. But the Spanish situation lias created a new note in the European difficulties, and until the end of the present disturbance there is discernable, will remain a very disturbing factor. British" statesmen have been able to speak more plainly- of late, and the fact that Mr Baldwin was so Outspoken a iiout the fascist movement, though it offended some in Italy, must have cleared the air more in England, where signs of fascist operations were troublesome to the authorities. 'mo position, also, in both the Near East with the Irak deelopments, and the Far East with the Sino-Japanese differences. and the affront to British sailors by Japanese, add further to the 'seriousness of the international issues. Great Britain, through it all appears to grow in national strength and efficiency. The time is approaching when perhaps something may be done by a policy stroke to help satisfy the clamouring nations for better supplies of raw materials. There is room in that region to effect a great change in the international outlook, by an exercising courage with tolerance (about which we have heard something locally of late) much might be possible. National ambitious as such, are not to be condemned. Pride of race and desire for prestige and ability to create, encourage ambition, and being an inherent trail in individuals as well as nations, must in reason, be given play. Just how to

apportion the assets of one nation with another in a just and appreciated way, is the art of good statesmanship at the present. British statesmen are expounding the., subject publicly, and must have some scheme in mind, The time for its realisation appears to be at hand if a practical attempt is to be made to remove something of tile first causes of the world’s troubles. It would be useful to adopt the motto and do it “now.”