TRADE BASIS OF NEW DIPLOMACY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14702, 1 June 1920, Page 2

TRADE BASIS OF NEW DIPLOMACY.

(By J. D. "Whelpley.) Ont of the welter of war has come a scheme of diplomacy which, while not new, is different in its purpose and its methods from that which has prevailed in Europe for generations past. In the diplomacy of the days before August, 1914, there was a large political and military 'element. To-day the military element is subordinate to other forces and > the political has turned its energies into channels which justify a definition of modern diplomacy as the "art'..of financial and commercial aggrandisement. In brief, commercial diplomacy, sneered at before the war as a typically German sport, has become the* diplomacy of the great Powers almost to .the exclusion of any other. _ Queen Elizabeth was the original commercial diplomat of England, so much so that the merchants' association's erected monuments in commemoration of'her services. Hers was not the fine Italian Hand, however, for the expeditions r which set forth to conquer foreign trade under her auspices depended largely for their efficiency upon the .swords' of the gallant buccaneers who irfanned the ships. The effort to conquer foreign trade by force ended with the great war in 1917. for notwithstanding the fact that with the exception of Germany no country entered that war for the purpose or even in the hope of acquiring additional 'commence the result of the war has been to open the gates of opportunity for all. even the Germans. This was realised by all peoples as the war progressed to its inevitable end. What was not anticipated by even the wisest-" statesman of the world, was the bewildering: multiplicity of small and politically independent countries which as a result of the war present themselves for protection, assistance, and. it must be' said, complaisant exploitation. Nearly all of these new independencies are sources of supply for raw materials rather than finished products. The world is now hungry for raw materials Coal, iron, oil/ cotton, wool, flax are .in greater. demand than ever before and the potential wealth of some of these old countries with new governments is incalculable. diplomacy, therefore, is now .deeply concerned with the welfare* of these - infants. Whereas in the old days diplomacy devoted itself largely to the maintenance of a balance of power and the seeking of military advantage as the'first elements of self-protection, its occupation in those directions is now practically .gone. The Near East" is now the battleground for thg best wits, and while .the struggle gives forth no noise nnd there Is .no smoke from the battleground it is" one of the greatest contests for mastery. the world has ever seen....lt is conducted with politeness and suavity. ■ The men who are at grips are the best of friends. The exchange of compliments and vows of eternal co-operation are warmly expressed and in all sincerity. The world is not going to war over these things for war has seen its day for the time being, at least, but the great silent power ,of international finance, draw-ing-room intrigue and industrial genius is toeing no advantage that can be gained he it ,eyer so small. Governments are not standing aside from these enterprises as they did in the- days before the war. The money of..the. taxpayers is being used to help. Government departments have became wonderfully been on lending a helping "hand to those about to engage in foreign adventure. No longer is the merchant seeking information from_ a Government. official turned awav with supercilious air and without aid. Today he is welcomed, the best they have is given him, and if he can suggest-any way in which assistance can be given to him or" his associates' ideas are welcomed and, if possible, carried info effect. _ ~^Governmen t organisations have been created or old ones connected with, industrv have taken on newlife arid expanded their activities. In the days before the war it was not considered good business for a Govpminent to be engaged in trade, even in a most dignified way, but now Government', interests in even retail businesses are constantly revealed in the course of legislative debate and Government reports.