PRESERVING PEACE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22211, 14 March 1934, Page 8

PRESERVING PEACE

A LEAGUE MANIFESTO. “ It is only too evident that the League of Nations is facing a situation which imperils its standing and authority, states a manifesto from the president of the Dominion Council of the League of Nations Union (Dr Gibb), which has been sent to all branches. “The failure to deal adequately _ with the Manchurian problem,” it continues, “the long and thus far fruitless discussions of the Disarmament Conference, the withdrawal of Japan and Germany from both League and conference, have shaken confidence in the League’s power to preserve the peace of the Avorld. The crisis is serious, but it can be met and overcome. All that is required is .that the members of the League should faithfully carry out their solemn pledges, and especially that the people of the natiopg, should rally to the support of the League. If they do so, the League will successfully surmount the difficulties now confronting it; if they do not, the issue will undoubtedly be serious. “The British Government is manifestly striving at all costs to maintain the League as an organisation indispensable to the transaction of international affairs and the prevention of a new race in armaments. Mr Baldwin has, of late, more than once said that if the League fails, nothing can save the world from utter-; most disaster. And it may fail —that i s a possibility which should be graven deep in the hearts of every lover of peace today. So should also the fact that it rests with ourselves, with the people, to prevent this unspeakable calamity. ’