The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1926. PROMOTING PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1926, Page 6

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1926. PROMOTING PEACE.

No more conclusive testimony to the efforts m'ade for the promotion of peace in Europe can be cited than the ■ fact that, after eighteen months’ discussion, over one hundred difficult matters which divided Germany and the Allies in connection with the Versailles Treaty have been settled. It may be claimed that the two prominent features of that treaty were those which related to reparations and disarmament, and in both these provisions Germany deliberately adopted a policy of evasion, thereby keeping alive, to her own prejudice, the feeling of bitterness that originated in her conduct of the war, besides affording justification for that lack of trust in her will to honour the obligations undertaken by her under the treaty. Although Britain has carried the bulk of the huge burden imposed on the victorious Allies in consequence of the prolonged struggle, she has worthily made immense sacrifices, conscientiously carried out her financial commitments and unceasingly striven to evolve order out of chaos, agreement out of a mass of divergencies, obstinacy, and wilfulness. The acceptance of the Dawes’ scheme for liquidating reparation payments was the first step towards the creation of a more favourable atmosphere, but there were times when the question of Germany’s evasion of the disarmament clauses of the treaty approached dangerously near to a crisis. Nothing but exemplary patience and forbearance, chiefly pursued by Britain, saved the situation. Then came the admission of Germany to the League of Nations, with a seat on the Council. Even that was not permitted to go through without considerable trouble, the details of which will doubtless be fresh in most minds. Now comes a cabled message in which it is stated that the Allies admit that Germany has carried out most of her obligations in relation to disarmament, though France insists on the right of supervision over Germany’s armament policy, particularly with regard to eastern fortresses and the capacity of Germany to export semi-finisbed war material, which France considers would he a danger to herself and Poland. Apparently, after considerable and heated discussions, this last obstacle to an amicable arrangement has been removed by a temporary expedient, to be followed by a definite solution of the problem between now and the end of next month. The plan is that the German Government and the Allied Commission will in ibis interval endeavour to come to terms as to disarmament, so as to permit, after January 31, of substituting supervision by the League, seemingly by means of an international commission for the present oversight of the Allies. The trend of expectation of late has certainly been in the direction of such a transfer, for the reason that it was probably the only course whereby the irritation caused to the Germans through being dominated by the victorious Allies could be allayed. There are, of course, two sides to this, as well as other questions, but the cause of peace is so vital to all the civilised nations that it overshadows all other considerations uncharged with vital principles. A very proper stipulation has been made that if Germany does not satisfy the Allies in the matter of the eastern fortresses and the exportation of unfinished war material, the League of Nations will automatically adjudicate thereon, presumably in March. There is, of course, the possibility of further demands from. Germany, or even by France, causing trouble and delay in a final settlement, but it is to be hoped that now matters have reached so far on the road towards finality that the necessary restraint will be exercised, and that the spirit exhibited at Locarno will be a potent factor in securing a settlement on which the future may be faced with confidence. Germany is suffering from deeply wounded pride, but the world is still suffering from the effects of the war. This is not the time to resort to mere platitude, but to act with prudence and in a spirit of good-will. At the' same time it is imperative that there shall be taken such precautions as will ensure that the objects in view—-

peace and a return to prosperity shall not be imperilled. Hence the League must be trusted to carry out its work,. •