The MANAWAT DAILY Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1936. Europe After The Storm

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 9, 11 January 1936, Page 6

The MANAWAT DAILY Times SATURDAY, JANUARY 11, 1936. Europe After The Storm

AViica the Italo-Ethiopian conflict is finally settled the problems of Europe will present themselves in a new and sharper light. Possibly they will have become somewhat easier to solve; possibly they will be harder.

If sanctions succeed in rendering the pursuance of war difficult, it is hoped that the lesson of the African struggle, which raised up a coalition of fifty nations against the aggressor, will be heeded by those countries which arc believed to be harbouring thoughts of revenge or ambitions of expansion. If on the other hand sanctions prove ineffective, the League, as a protection against militarism, will be discredited.

These calculations are, of course, too simple; the likelihood of a compromise in conditions which leave the efficacy of the League undetermined should not be overlooked; success in one flagrant and almost undisputed case, against a nation which is particularly vulnerable because of its lack of raw materials, and because it blunderingly stirred up against it the most powerful member of the League, would not necessarily be conclusive evidence, while failure would have to be subjected to a careful analysis of the causes. Still, it is certain that Europe in particular is watching anxiously the League experiment for indications of the future of "collective security” and of the League as a practical central authority capable of enforcing peace.

The alignment of nations may be greatly changed. There are far too many possibilities for the most sagacious diplomatist to predict the outcome. According to one thesis, Italy will be forced to separate itself from the sanctionist nations and join up again with Germany. Whereupon the Anschluss will link Germany with Austria, give it joint influence with Italy in Hungary, and cause the Danubian countries of the Little Entente to swing away from France into the German orbit. The Gcr-mano-Polish alliance will be consolidated, and with the domination of Europe by Germany, an attack on the "colonisablc” portions of Russia might be envisaged.

But these speculations leave out the factor of Russia, which has made great efforts to attach to its cause the Slav elements of the Little Entente. Czechoslovakia has joined up 'with Russia, Rumania is hesitating, and even Jugoslavia is tempted. The two latter countries are also members of the Balkanic Entente to which Turkey, which has renewed its treaty with Russia, belongs. And Turkey is likewise member of the Near East bloc to which Persia and Iraq adhere, and which reaches out tentacles to Afghanistan and Arabian countries. Besides Russia has made a mutual assistance pact with France. Here is a formidable combination, whose solidity, however, has yet to be proved.

On the other hand France is divided on the Russian alliance, which it has not ratified. There are signs of a fresh attempt at rapprochement with Germany intended to ensure peace to France, though perhaps at the expense of Russia. In this case the temptation of Italy to choose between France and Germany would be removed, since they would both be on the same side.

The tangle of political interests and sympathies cannot be unravelled yet.

Cocker spaniels are still the most GET BID OF PILES popular dogs in Britain, followed _by You flo easil at home , by Irish setters, wirehaired fox-terriers, u • Zann Double Absorption TrcatPekinese, Cairn terriers and smooth ment _ gend ninepcnC e stamps for gcnDachshunds, judging by the entries at erous trial treatment:. Zann Pty,, Box Mnorxt show of the Kennel Club* J 3 [Wellington.

During the past ten years a hundred important buildings have been erected in Wellington, the total cost exceeding Jiu,500,000. The floor space included in these buildings aggregates about 2,640,000 square feet; or 60 acres; or 35 Rugby football grounds..

Aluminium paint has been used for some years on such objects as petrol tanks to reflect the heat of the sun and keep the contents cool, and its use has now extended to roofs. A large Wellington warehouse has now an alu-minium-painted roof, which from the heights is a patch of glistening silver among tho black and red corrugated iron all about.

Quito a notable tramping achievement was accomplished during the holiday period by Mr. J. Blenkhorn, of Levin. Leaving alone from the Pipe Bridge at .1 p.m. on New Year's Day Mr. Blenkhorn travelled to the To Matawai Hut where he spent the night. Next day lie proceeded on, arriving at Kailuna on the other side of the ranges at 5 p.m., the entire trip occupying seventeen hours. Excellent weather prevailed throughout and many deer were seen bv the tramper.

The fact that an eel can devour as much as three ducklings and four sparrows was proved one night last weekend when a large specimen was caught in a creek near Blenheim. A nearby householder had missed a number of ducklings recently, and on one occasion when a member of his family saw the eel cruising in the vicinity of the young birds it refused to be driven away. Eventually the eel was “speared" with a pitchfork and a posL-mor-tem examination revealed the extent of its diet.

When the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research, visited Foxton on Tuesday, Mr. J. Hodgcns, M.P. for Palmerston North introduced Mr. J. IC Hornblow to the Minister. “1 had the pleasure of listening to your broadcast singing of ‘The Isle of Capris' on one occasion." said Mr. Hornblow. “Has anyone got a gun?" said Mr. Sullivan. On the occasion of his vocal effort at the time referred to, Mr. Sullivan broke off in the song with the remark: “For God's sake will some one help me to sing it! " Possibly these remarks were not intended to go over the air.

The well-known Auckland sculptor, Mr. R. O. Gross, is at work upon two commissions of considerable public interest. One is a memorial to bo placed over the gravo of the late Leader of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, in tho Bolton Street Cemetery Wellington, and the other is a decorative sculpture for the new gateway to tho Auckland Domain. The Holland memorial is entirely symbolical in conception and is intended to express the ideals which animated the dead leader in his life long work for his fellow men.

Monday was “Twelfth Night" or the 12t,h day after Christmas. It is also the Feast of the Epiphany in celebration of the Baptism of Christ. From ancient times the day has been set

apart to honour the three Wise Men of the East, and it has been associated with many curious festivities and celebrations in different parts of England. Twelfth cake is an ancient English institution, and such a cake is still cut on January 6th at Drury Lane Theatre. The term “Twelfth Night" is, of course, best known from the title of the Shakespearean play.

Pivo new second-class railway carriages have been in use during the holiday' period, states the Christchurch StarSun. These carriages are more comfortable than the old type and between 15 and 20 more are on order. The great feature of the new cariages is the comfort of the seats. They are covered in red leather and tho stuffing is practically all sponge rubber. The arms of the chairs are also of sponge rubber and are very comfortable. The carriages are made of steel, and a new safety device has been fitted to the doors. Above tho door handle there is a little button which must be pushed before the handle may bo turned. Both inside and outside handles turn to the left, and with the new safety device it will be impossible to open the door suddenly. In addition to the new second-class carriages there are improved first-class coaches on order.

The best cricket story of the season comes from the Far North, and is vouched for by a Kaitaia informant of the Auckland Star. It appears that an important local match was in progress, and that a smartly-dressed young woman was among the visiting supporters. Every time ono of tho umpires signalled, she jumped to her feet and waved her handkerchief. The onlookers were somewhat mystified, for she was not keeping the score, and her answering signals were obviously not intended to correspond with those of the umpire. When finally he signalled a wide, opening both arms, the lady responded in similar fashion and ended up by thr owing him a kiss I The explanation was that they were newly married and were still honeymooning. The bride knew nothing about cricket and thought her husband was sending her signals of affection.