OUTLOOK IN EUROPE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20724, 18 November 1930, Page 11

OUTLOOK IN EUROPE.

" SEVERAL DANGER SPOTS."

IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING PEACE

THE NEED OF CO-OPERATION.

"A great Hungarian writer has expressed the opinion that by 19. 7 >7 at the latest, thero will ho another European war," said the Rev. W. G. Monckton in an address to members of tho Auckland Rotary Club yesterday. "It is certain there are many serious menaces threatening the pence of the world at the present time and what we need is some machinery to help maintain peace. The only machinery I know of is the League of Nations, but. it. is only a machine, arid it needs some motive power to drive it." Mr. Monckton said many different causes of war had been suggested, prominent. among them being the stress of economic pressure. It was often said that world peace would bo gained when the nations got to know each other better. It rlid not necessarily follow, however, that improved acquaintance would induce a greater degree of affection. There was also the view of the pronounced pacifist who declared that he would never have anything to do with war because ho ]ooked upon it, as cruel and as contrary to the teaching of Christ. However much his views might be worthy of respect, the pacifist failed because he offered nothing constructive toward the cause of peace. Very often, when war actually broke out, such pcoplo found themselves unable to take any position which would involve them in a, definite declaration against fighting. One was also told that wars were caused by a few wicked men who plotted behind closed doors and that if democracy had its way there would be no war. This was an obvious fallacy, for one had only to consider the recent wars to realise that democracy often urged the leaders on to greater extremes, once war had been commenced. There had never been a more warlike state than democratic Athens.

"Thero is a special reason why we should all support the League of Nations." said Mr. Monckton. "We have all known what it is to have suffered bereavement through war and wo have put our signed seal upon this covenant of tho nations. If tho men of our nation were willing in the last war to die for tho sake of a treaty 100 years old, what should wo be willing to do for a treaty of our own making .' Aro wo willing to make a-tenth of the sacrifice made by those who died on Flanders fields?"

Touching upon the present situation in Europe, Air. Monckton said there were several clanger spots, prominent among which was Italy. With a growing population, which it was unable to feed, Italy's greatest need was colonies, and it looked with envy at France, which had a dwindling population and which possessed numerous wealthy colonies. One could not help wondering what would happen. All the minorities in Europe were chafing under alien rule. These contained nearly 25,000,0G0 inhabitants, all of whom had national aspirations and cultures of their own, and surely they were entitled to some consideration. Poland was another danger spot, forming a barrier between East Prussia and the rest of Germany.

There was only one way in which these matters could be settled. Political action would not serve to bring along peace. It was necessary for the nations to approach their difficulties in a spirit of thinking of others as well as of themselves.