The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1937. A TROUBLED WORLD.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1937, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1937. A TROUBLED WORLD.

In speaking at Genova this week, Mr Anthony Eden, the British roreign Secretary, referred at length to the several features affecting “this troubled world’’ at present. His panacea was improved trading relations internationally, and the lowering of tariff harriers under certain reciprocal conditions. But while the diplomats a lain solemn conclave in far iff Geneva. portions of the troubled world are in the hands of incendiarisrs, and great injury and loss are being put on innocent peoples. Earlier, at the Geneva gathering, the Spanish representative made a telling speech of indictment, which the President- was

able to reply to only in conciliatory terms of inaction. So with the ( 1 ine.se delegation, when the notable Ur Kuo in calm language reviewed idle position in China, and the issue was referred to the League Committee which so gracefully backed down when Manchuria was wrested by force trom China. In the Mediterranean, Britain and France are taking up the policing of the great sea highway, but Italy now regards it as a dress n hoarsal for war. and is herself preparing by moving troops to strategic points, in particular Libya, between Egyptian a ill French ' territory, and taking other measures to attain her expressed ambition of being mistress ol the Mediterranean. The .Palestine statement is being aggravated ' b.v sympathisers in Egypt and Iraq e> pressing strong opinions in favour ol the Arab nationhood being left untouched, and the end is not yet. There are aspects in connection with the Spanish fighting and the invasion ol China, which affect Britain directly, in the former case, the British patrol system is being terminated because die warships must be used elsewhere, despite the fact part of the Home licet is being sent to the Mediterranean. Tti Chinese waters a polite Japanese note has invited the British war vessels to remove from the possible scene o! aerial bombardment, but this request has been refused, though the British ships are there to protect nationals. it would' appear they are to remain at anchor and impotent, while the ravaging of China continues. On the part of Japan, it is clear they are making a gigantic effort to reduce China to vassalage. Hugo numbers of Japanese troops appear on all fronts, and with numerous warships maintaining a coastal blockade, and utilising spare time with barrages of fire on vital Chinese positions, while clouds of aircraft scour the interior seeking to destroy posts of importance. Surely, Mr Eden does not over estimate the position when lie calls this a troubled world. The best Britain, France, the United .States and other great‘Powers can attain is to address pious speeches to the world at large. It is perhaps not unreasonable for Wall Street believing a general war is possible at any time. There are heaps of provocative events to warrant more direct action than diplomatic appeals. It really seems, how long the present international position can continue in a jumble of scramble on the part of those nations deliberately taking all they want from their weakest neighbour. It is becoming a question what territory will lie ravaged next m this march of world lawlessness.