The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1928.) THE WEEK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 47

The Otago Witness. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE SOUTHERN MERCURY. (TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1928.) THE WEEK.

An American Anomaly.

“Nunquam allud nature, allud aapientla dixit** -JUVXKAL. “Sood nature and good sense taut ever join.”— Twa.

Viewed from the outside, the guiding principle of American

foreign policy seems difficult to understand. Theoretically and ostensibly

on the side of peace, the American Government persists in actions which would appear to make for war. Apparently quite prepared to join with France in drafting a declaration against war in the abstract, yet a concrete proposal like the League of Nations, organised with precisely the same object in view, fails to elicit American support. As with war so with armaments,- the building up of which in only too many instances contains the menace of conflict. At the instance of the President of the United States a conference was convened at Geneva recently with the object in view .of securing a reasonable limitation of naval armaments, !and which failed because of America’s demand for equality of strength with Great Britain. Immediately following that .abortive conference comes an announcement of what has been called America’s multi-million dollar programme, and which is regarded as a direct menace to the peace of the world. A preliminary five-year programme is proposed, covering an expenditure of 800 million dollars for what are considered immediate naval needs, this to lead up to a 20-year building replacement programme, estimated to cost 3360 million dollars, and in the distance another .20-year programme of similarly huge proportions. The American Secretary for the Navy, Mr Wilbur, scorns the idea that this is a statement on the part of the United States navy to dispute Britain’s supremacy on the sea, but it is difficult to suggest any. other interpretation. While America is thus pursuing a decidedly dubious course, Britain is giving substantial proofs of her desire to ensure a world peace. Following her declared policy -of reducing her naval strength to absolutely minimum requirements, she has decided to cut down her I own recent and moderate programme by one-half, which decision in regard to cruiser tonnage has created anxiety at tlie Admiralty. While there is a consensus of opinion ’ that • war or anything approaching to war between Britain and America is unthinkable, America’s proposed naval programme presents’ a decided anomaly. Senator Glass does but express what must be the general opinion of the. sober American people when he assailed the naval programme as an imposition upon the American taxpayer and a menace to world peace.

Britain as Peacemaker.

There probably never was a time in the history of the' world when

so many potential causes of conflict and controversy were apparent on

the international horizon. And it may also be insisted that never before in her history was Britain and the British Empire prepared to give so many tokens of her sincere desire for peace. Sir Austen Chamberlain's recent pronouncement on the subject is specially illuminating. Commenting on the European situation, the Foreign Secretary said-that the British Government worked consistently for . the appeasement of quarrels and for reconciliation at home and abroad. “ Not merely were the Allies of a few years ago as closely bound in friendship and confidence as they were in the height of the war, but they were co-operating in the spirit of unity of those days to repair the injuries of the war.” This, is a hopeful declaration, and emanating from so high a quarter, it should go far to. allay the fears of those who prophesy a world conflagration. -Put into plain language, it means that the full

weight of the tremendous powers and influences which combined to win the'Great War are now co-operating to win a still greater peace. If this declaration be pondered it will excite' the brightest expectations for the future. With the ;great Powers in complete -agreement as to the evils and futility-of war, there should be little doubt-in regard to the ultimate issue.

The Situation in China.

The situation in China continues to be

punctuated by a series of internal dissensions and disturbances, involving

much military activity and reducing that country to a condition of anarchy and unsettlement. So long ns those disturbances continue, there can be little hope of any permament arrangement between China and the Powers. Referring to the Chinese situation, Sir Austen Chamberlain was unable to do' much more than repeat the assurances previously given. Britain stands true to; her announced policy of peaceful con- ! ciliation so far as China is concerned. : hile Britain is unable to allow herself to be deprived by any show of force on the part of any section of the Chinese authorities of her treaty right, yet she is ready at any moment to interpret those rights in the most generous spirit possible. Before any negotiation can be entered upon, however, there must come to the front some person or body of per-? sons able to speak for the Chinese people as a whole, and willing to make and fulfil treaty engagements. “In order to adjust the old treaty rights to the new position,” Sir Austen Chamberlain added, “ we will give generous concessions to the legitimate demands of the Chinese for the development of their nationality and independence.” As soon as the Chinese, wearied of internal strife, combine to set their house in order, there should speedily be brought into operation the best relations with Great Britain.

The Samoan Deportations.

In reference to the Samoan deportations,

Mr Coates has either said too much or too little, and his pronouncement at Helensville last week does

not help to elucidate matters satisfactorily. Naturally, authority must be: upheld, and the report of the Royal Commission sufficiently absolved the* Administration from any of the charges; of misgovernment alleged against it. It has, however, come as a surprise to many! that the issue, of that report should hav?been followed so quickly by the deportation, without a trial, of the leaders in the agitation in. Samoa. Mr Coates’s observation on this point was at least naive, if not very logical. “ When a man,” declared the Prime Minister, “ was considered a menace to peace, order, and good government he had to go where the Government told him. Samoa was in a seditious ferment, and those who crossed the Government's path and interfered must put up with the consequences.” Such an utterance savours too much of the high-handed dictator to harmonise with New Zealand’s democratic method of ruling. Nearly 300 years ago John Bunyan was condemned to imprisonment in Bedford county jail for the offence of “.devilishly and perniciously abstaining from coming to church to hear divine service, and for being a common upholder of several unlawful meetings and conventicles, to the great disturbance and distraction of the good subjects of the kingdom, contrary to the laws of our sovereign lord the King.” And while the cases are far from being on all fours, no. one would care to see a revival even of the spirit which sent John Bunyan into prison seclusion for 12 long years.