The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1939. TRUST IN THE LEAGUE.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 September 1939, Page 4

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1939. TRUST IN THE LEAGUE.

Tiie ex-Prime Minister of South Africa lias condemned the Versailles Treaty, but it was hardly the cause of all the evil the world has become heir to since the Great War. 'The treaty was to recompense nations for their loss in the war; and to cure the evil of war, the League of Nations was set up. Had the League continued to function effectively all would be well, and the present war would not be engaging attention. One of the countries given security under the treaty was. Poland, which was disposed to place great hopes in the new international order to be built up. But the first blow the League principle received, was the withdrawal of the backing' of the people of the United States to President Woodrow’s plan. A visiting American the other evening spoke of the evil to spring from that cause, but it was not the whole story. He blamed England, also, for not supporting America when Japan first seized Manclmkuo. Had positive action been taken at the first' breach of the League covenant, it would not have followed, and this in turn became an incentive for Italy to attempt the conquest of Abyssinia. Britain ,sought to impose sanctions on Italy as a penalty to check f tlio war, but France declined to co-oper-ate, and Italy had a. free hand. Next came Nazi 'Germany ‘breaching not only tile authority of the League, but also the treaty in the recovery of the Ruhr region. By this time the authority of' the League..had waned, but already the treaty had been abrogated in many ways, financial and otherwise, so that its clauses were of little value excepting where nations acted on their own volition. Had Britain and France moved when Hitler began his series of breaches of the treaty, peace would have prevailed. It is rhtlier late in the day for General Hortzog to blame the treaty as the sole cause of the trouble, for its rectification had been going on in an irregular manner by the nations which felt strong enough to assert and take their rights. Through it all, Poland reposed confidence in the League. Unfortunately her geographical position placed her a ready prey for Germany, but it is only in the last few years that Hitler turned his attention towards the recovery of Danzig and adjoining territory. The progress of events in Europe of late has indicated that the time was approaching,.to check the, German continued violation of treaty rights, and the German Chancellor made' frequent promises not to trespass further. Yet time and again he has broken his word. Patience and consideration became exhausted, and Britain and France resolved 011 a challenge. It. was a fair challenge. Open negotiations were suggested, and it would have been for the tribunal sot up to arrange a settlement in an orderly manner. This fair proposal to revise any grievances could have been an example for the settlement of any other international matters at issue, and sanity would have settled what war lias now. to. do. The revision of the treaty in. the light of past events should not have been a stumbling block for General Hcrtzog’s loyalty if the clauses of the treaty could have been resolved by the conference proposed. '