TOPICS OF THE TIMES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4731, 10 August 1935, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE TIMES

To-Morrow in the Far East.

"We are here spectators of one of the great evolutionary movements of history. No man can say whither it will ultimately lead or what fresh factors in the world's government will spring from it. Only certain more or less immediate results can be foreseen. Sooner or later Japan's policy of expansion, especially inward toward Siberia, must intensify the risks of a clash with Soviet interests. An unchecked growth of Japanese power is likewise bound to arouse apprehensions on the American side of the Pacific. So far as Great Britain is concerned, we have our commercial interests in China to consider; and while we have a traditional friendship with Tokio, any fresh Japanese move in China must inevitably cause us anxiety."—The "Sunday Times."

Italy and the League. "Signor Mussolini finds himself in a difficult situation. Italian projects regarding Abyssinia undoubtedly received a firm check at Geneva in May and credit was due to the Duce' for the spirit in which he appeared i to bow to the League's decision. But a dictator cannot axord to acknowledge checks to his own people. If there is a suspicion of one he must necessarily talk the louder, which is obviously what Signor Mussolini was doing in Cagliari when he expressed sharp resentment at British criticisms and declared that Italy would no more take account of the opinion of the world that Britain did when founding an Empire. No rejoinder to that is needed, but it will be wise for Italy to mark well the fact that the first soeeches of the new Prime Minister of Great Britain contained emphatic assurances that Great Britain's foreign policy was based on the League of Nations. The League Covenant is a treaty which both Italy and Britain have signed. It is fully as valid as the provisions which gave Italy the

Southern Tyrol and Trieste. Great Bintain will and must insist that the Covenant be kept in the dispute between Italy and Abyssinia. If Italy violates it, the consequences must be grave, though nothing will be gained, and much lost, by discussing them in any spirit of menace. France, fortunately, recognises that this country is animated in the Abyssinian affair by no motive but support of the League, and the cooperation established between M. Laval and Mr. Eden at Geneva in May is not likely to be relaxed."— The Spectator.