THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14567, 2 January 1911, Page 4

THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR.

Internationally, 1910 has been a .year of unbroken peace and increasing preparation for -war. Naval armaments have been feverishly pushed forward by every civilised country, even Mr. Lloyd-George having been compelled to recognise that in the face of Germany's insistent preparations it is .impossible for the British Empire to disarm. Among naval preparations, the construction of the Panama Canal by the Washington Government must be included, and this is so far advanced that its opening is officially promised for four years hence. Not a shot has been fired in anger between any of the recognised Powers of the world during the year; but there is an almost universal' and deeply-rooted ' feeling that this calm cannot long continue. Particularly in .'the Far East 'is "the

outlook threatening, war between Japan and China being likely .any time owing-to divergent interests in Manchuria, and owing to the, Japanese disinclination to leave the Quarrel open until its powerful neighbour is in a better military position. But although ' the 1 international outlook for 1911 is vaguely depressing, this may easily be sympathetic with the uneasy feeling as to the political and industrial future which pervades the Western countries. In any case the best assurance of peace is for countries which have much to lose to be as ready .for war as • are countries which have much to gain.