The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1935. PASSING OF PILSUDSKI.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20107, 14 May 1935, Page 8

The Timaru Herald TUESDAY, MAY 14, 1935. PASSING OF PILSUDSKI.

Marshal Joseph Pilsudski’s death at a moment when intensive treaty making involving the future of Poland is being indulged in by the nations of Europe, may have wide repercussions, and may completely upset the trend of diplomatic relationships. As Dictator of Poland, Marshal Pilsudski and his clever Foreign Minister (Colonel Josef Bach) - recently turned a deaf ear to the proposals presented at Warsaw in favour of an Eastern Locarno. This pact already pledges the Soviet Union, Germany, Czechoslovakia and the Baltic States to respect and mutually guarantee each other’s frontiers. France offered to be guarantor of the proposed treaty which has been approved by Great Britain and Italy. Polish statesmen have hitherto preferred bilateral to multilateral treaties. Certain groups of officials in Poland supported the Dictator in regarding the Polish system of non-aggres-sion agreements and reciprocal treaties as more effective; indeed, the form of pacts Poland has favoured are her treaty of alliance with France and Rumania, her non-aggression pact with Russia, and the joint non-aggression declaration with Germany. The Poles fear also, that one result of a possible Russian-Japanese conflict would be the alignment of Germany as the fighting ally of Japan, which would automatically start hostilities between Germany and Russia with Polish territory lying between them. Just how the existing non-aggression pacts would hold out in such a contingency has not been made clear, but the Poles are said to be convinced that they would be less awkward than the obligations they might have to fulfil under the “Eastern Locarno” past. The diplomatic correspondent of the French journal L’Oeuvre recently wrote that Count Alfred Chlapowski, Polish Ambassador to France, once called on M. Louis Barthou, Foreign Minister of France, and informed him of the reluctance of Marshal Pilsudski to adhere to an “Eastern Locarno” which would entail new responsibilities on Poland’s frontier. The reply made by M. Barthou to the Ambassador was not quoted, although it was said to have been “very precise.” But L’Oeuvre gave an obvious indication of the nature of the reply by saying:

“French diplomatic circles were strongly impressed by the Polish attitude. It was said that if this attitude continued to be maintained, the French would question the advisability of holding further to certain treaties of 1921, which put a heavy responsibility on our country."

The treaty referred to was the Franco-Polish military alliance, obliging France to throw her military strength to the defence of Poland in case the latter should be attacked. But the proFrench press in Warsaw maintained that those who did not join hands loyally with France in these difficult times would certainly deplore it later. It was even declared that Poland might become altogether isolated if she refused to support the “Eastern Locarno” plan. Polish coldness toward the “Eastern Locarno” idea was favourably noted in Germany, where it was said that the Government was firmly set against M. Barthou’s proposals. At the same time it was reported that the German Government would be careful not to isolate itself by hasty action and that it would consult with both the Italian and Polish Governments before taking a definite stand. It is rather significant, in view of the obvious tug-o’-war that has been designed to win Poland's adherence to the various treaties, should have been halted by the intervention of the Angel of Death at the very moment the French Foreign Minister is paying an official diplomatic visit to Poland.

READY FOR THE FRAY. Although doubts may exist in the minds of various schools of political quidnuncs as to the possibility of the complete disappearance of the Reform and United Parties from the Dominion’s political arena and the rise of a new Party, it can be taken for granted that for the purpose of the impending general election, the Reform and United forces will amalgamate in organising a campaign to meet the bold challenge of the Labour Party. There is no evidence to support the suggestion that the amalgamation will be permanent; indeed the Hon. R. R. Masters, who was the campaign manager for the United Party, made this somewhat restrained statement on the formation of the new organisation:

“It is expected that the two parties will co-operate fully, coming together to set up an executive which will be representative of both Parties, and representative not only of the Parliamentary Parties, but of the membership of the two parties throughout the country.

“The Federation will have on executive, and officers will be elected by the two Parties acting as one body. I will not say that either the Reform Party or the United Party will cease to eixst, but that does not affect the position, because the Parties will act as one. In any case, I cannot speak for the Reform Party. There is every reason

to believe that the understanding will be honoured by all local executives, who will act in accordance with the clearly expressed wishes of the Party leaders.”

Questioned whether it was to be a permanent federation, Mr Masters said he would not go beyond what was stated in the official summary of the understanding, as the whole matter had been arranged to meet the circumstances which would arise at the coming General Election.

As a matter of plain fact the emergence of the National Political Federation from Hie somewhat loosely holding Coalition represents a businesslike understanding arrived at in face of the powerfully-organised assault the Labour Party is preparing to launch against the Government. It has long been recognised that there were obvious weaknesses in the somewhat vague understanding arrived at by the leaders of the two main Parties some years ago, and faithfully honoured in face of the persistent attacks, tremendous disabilities and almost overwhelming difficulties. But to-day in face of strong opposition, the Government Party can hardly expect to hold its ground if it became subject to internal misunderstandings. It is being frankly confessed that the understanding will occasion no surprise to members of either Party throughout the country, because the arrangement has been made as the result of the hope voiced by the two Party leaders that there should be unanimity when the time came to contest a general election. The . most intriguing comment on the new agreement comes from the Labour Party. The Leader of the Opposition does not seem altogether pleased with the new development. Here are Mr Savage’s observations on the announcement that the Reform and United Parties will face the electors as a political organisation with a united front: “I suppose it is only to be expected that such a thing should happen. At the same time, it does seem strange that representatives of, two Parties which have occupied the stage in mortal combat for so long should apparently come together so closely. Presumably it is for the purpose of attempting to stem the rising tide of Labour.”

Manifestly Mr Savage is trying to forget that two Parliamentary Parties have co-operated loyally and effectively for nearly four years, and both leaders and the rank and file have made up their minds to continue that co-oper-ation, and they have been encouraged by the support received throughout the country to believe that the continuance of such cooperation is essential for the Dominion’s welfare if the measures to restore confidence and stability that have been initiated are to be carried through to a successful conclusion. Plainly the amalgamation has laid the foundation of a Dominion-wide organisation that will add immensely to the strength of campaiging activities that will be developed from now on in all electorates in support of the selected standard hearers of the new political organisation.

PROSPECTS FOR WOOL. Reports from London continue to bring good news to all interested in the wool industry. “The present keen demand by all woolusing countries,” says The Yorkshire Observer, “and the fact that the overseas selling season is drawing to a close, with consequent diminishing supplies, encourage the belief that prices will remain somewhere near their present level. More than one trader, indeed, predicts still dearer wool before the season ends.” Well-informed commentators insist that there seems to be general satisfaction among wool importers and top-makers at the recent advance, which they believe will bring out business which has been held back because buyers have been uncertain about the trend of prices, and, according to reports, there have been inquiries which suggest a buying movement is not far off. Woolgrowers and -wool buyers suggest that they discern a number of factors that have contributed towards the general improvement in wool prices, and many growers foresee even greater rises. One of the main reasons for the increased values is that the quantity of wool held in London is not large. The wool production last season was equivalent to a normal year’s growing, but the hold-over in the Dominions was of a greater proportion. The shortage of stocks had a natural tendency to improve the position so far as the wool growers were concerned. Then there arc the ever-increasing and persistent reports of a world armament race, which have accentuated the demand. The re arming of the nations has in the past been followed by an improvement: in wool values, and history is repeating itself now, with gratification to the wool growers. The earlier reports of increased production in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were proved to have been rather exaggerated, and the result was that the buyers were not able to purchase the quantities they anticipated at their own limits. The most encouraging feature of the wool outlook is that responsible men in the industry are saying to-day that they see no reason why wool, in its present sound position, should show any weakness in price between now and the opening of the next overseas selling season.