The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1937. WORKING FOR PEACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 September 1937, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 1937. WORKING FOR PEACE.

So much is being done to prepaie for war, that it might he thought working for peace was out of the question. We have seen numerous incidents, however, in the Spanish situation, which in the former days might have been a cause, for war on the part of the offended Powers, but the events, serious though some of them ha\o been, have been smoothed over by diplomatic representations, excepting in line instance where Germany took ruthless action in bombarding unoffending civilians on the side of the loyalists. So, too, in the Far East, the incidents there are being met. not with guns, but with Notes and other diplomatic converse, seeking explanations to assuage the outraged nations. 'This is the now method in working for peace. The same course of action is being followed in the Mediterran-

ean where unknown submarines are attacking ships, and now the Powers

are assembling to take concerted measures to suppress this form ol high seas piracy. it is true Russia has offended Italy with straight talk as to alleged guilt, and Germany is siding with her ally, but it is expected a scheme will be implemented by the assembled naval Powers concerned to better effect without the aid of Italy and Germany. In passing it may he remarked that Russia’s outspoken statement appears to he approved by some of tin 1 other Powers, though at this juncture regarded as impolitic. This conference by the unity of the assembled Powers will bo an aid to peace. They will protect their shipping on the high seas, without being drawn singly into conflict with the offending Power, and in that unity there is certainly the form of peace. In the same way the non-intervention organisation played a part in holding off warlike action on the part of offended nationals, and to that extent a serious combat was avoided. All the time, however. there is a danger of war. It is so in the East where Japan has a mastery, and the same evidence of unity of the Powers is not so evident. The United States is following the course in the earlier stages of the Great War. and standing aloof. But with a serious incident affecting the pride of the Americans, and the Navy will become active. Already Americans in China arc expressing their views on the President’s attitude in terse but expressive language. That method would be inflamed to a greater outburst if the American colony in China should he outraged by the belligerents, while the United States h-Vs mteicsfs in the Philippines which require the closest attention at this’juncture. In the effort to wm k for peace the essential is to confine any outbreak to limits which will avoid drawing other Powers in, bcvqml their co-operation in keeping the.field as it were to prevent a serious spread of the war. The task of Britain appears to he aimed specially in that direction, and in the interval growing in fighting strength, is a Power to be considered at every stage. At the same time Great Britain is placed as no other Power. Her extensive possessions interest her in the peace of the Seven Seas, and war is the last tiling desired. But it is necessary to be prepared for eventualities and to that end Britain of late has bent her financial strength. All this is known to the world at large, and because of it, the pacific policy of Britain in flic various crises is an aid to the peace of the world.