BETTER OUTLOOK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19885, 11 March 1939, Page 6

BETTER OUTLOOK

RELATIONS IN EUROPE

APPEASEMENT PROSPECTS

COMING TRADE TALK

BRITAIN AND GERMAN!

(Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Asm) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1 p.m. RUGBY, Mar. 10.

The prospect of an early end to the hostilities in Spain and the likelihood, as far as can be seen at present, that the difficulties between Italy and France will not present insuperable obstacles to a peaceful settlement, have encouraged a more optimistic feeling in authoritative circles in London regarding the international outlook.

There is no inclination to minimise unduly the difficulties and dangers that remain, but the situation causes less anxiety than of late. If wider measure of pacification in Europe could be secured it is felt that the way may be paved for effecting a halt in the armaments race, the urgent need for which, as recent speeches have indicated, is constantly in the minds of British Ministers. It is felt that if. in the course of the present year, there could be achieved some agreement about disarmament or arms limitation—even if it should at first view be a very limited agreement—this would do much towards restoring confidence in Europe and inducing a more settled atmosphere which would be favourable to a revival of international trade. Bellicose Press Comment It is recognised that the state of Anglo-German relations has an important bearing upon this and in this regard there is an inclination to pay more attention to the friendly exchanges which recently have taken place, than to bellicose press comment. In this connection importance is attached to the approaching visit to Germany by the Secretary of the Board of Trade, Mr. Oliver Stanley, the Parliamentary Secretary of Overseas Trade, Mr. R. S. Hudson. The Times remarks that if by trade arrangements and reciprocation in other ways Anglo-German relations can steadily be improved, the possibility of some agreement on arms limitation may be brought nearer. In a speech to-day Mr. Hudson said that the Anglo-German trade negotiations would be devoted to trying to arrive at some agreement on general lines. If, as he anticipated, they succeeded, a really valuable contribution to the peace of the world would be made.

He thought that there were signs already of a general return to a proper appreciation of the manifold benefits which the older and less regimented system of trade produced.