The Daily News THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1933. MANKIND ON THE MARCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1933, Page 4

The Daily News

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 1933. MANKIND ON THE MARCH.

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“Mankind are on the march. You 'cannot tell whither they are journeying”.” With those prophetic words General Smuts reviewed the position at the close of the Great War. He. was discussing the terms of the proposed peace treaties, and was pleading with the British Prime Minister for terms that would make it possible for European recovery to begin and to progress towards a better understanding between the nations. It is history that the advice given by General Smuts and by other British statesmen had little weight when the Versailles Treaty was finally drafted. But the truth of his observation is becoming more apparent year by year, and the perturbing factor is that it is still true that no one can tell whither the march of humanity is trending. Two facts protrude themselves in any consideration of world affairs today. They are the presence of a militant nationalism in every nation, large or small, and the craving for leadership that shall combine stimulus for that spirit with the faculty for understanding and working in harmony with other nations. So far the history of the spread of intense nationalism has not been very encouraging. Leadership has been conspicuous by its absence, and in countries where it has been anything like effective it has become so by jettisoning democratic rule for autocracy backed, by force. Whether it is the President of the Russian Soviets, M. Stalin, or his antithesis in political beliefs, Signor Mussolini, the Dictator of Italy, it is the rule of the autocrat that has succeeded in bringing order out of chaos. _ Turkey has achieved rehabilitation by the same methods; Germany has turned to them in despair; and there seems every probability that Spain will also seek a Dictatorship, in essence if not in name, in order to bring about a return to stable government. Most amazing of all is the attitude of the United States. That is to those who think of the great Republic in the light of its progress during the past halfcentury. Theoretically the United States was conceived as the land of the 'free, where all men were equal in the sight of the law and of the Republic. Actually the Republic was brought about by force; it was held together 80 years later by force; and now that economic disaster has threatened its security it has given its President the powers of a Dictator, and is backing him in the use of his 'great authority. In Europe the one great Continental Power to pay real tribute to democratic rule is France. Ministries are formed and defeated at the will of the people’s representatives with as little compunction as if there were no international problems ahead, but on one point the republican of France will support any Ministry. Upon the military defence of his country . the Frenchman knows no politics. That must be assured at whatever cost, and the taxpayers will pay for it without a murmur. So far the Republic has failed to produce the leadership that can combine true patriotism with an international outlook that inspires confidence. It has remained for the British Empire to accept that duty. Even in British countries the march of mankind is recognised, and there is the desire for wise leadership. There is still evidenced a real belief in the capacity of the common people to do the right thing in the long run, , and there is still a belief that in democratic rule there is the only social system that is broad based enough to stand the assaults of the economic and political hurricanes that have swept away systems founded on less sure foundations. Nevertheless the conviction is being forced upon the Empire that bld standards of politics, of business, of morals, and of community life are being challenged. The boasted liberty under the law which is the right of every citizen of the Empire is charged with being more a delusion than a reality. The belief in individual effort and individual reward or failure is being asked to justify itself in the light of present day conditions, ?.nd it must be confessed the task is not an easy one. “Mankind is on the march.” Leadership was never a graver responsibility than it is to-day.