THE Wairarapa Age MONDAY, JULY 27, 1936. ANOTHER BID FOR PEACE.

Wairarapa Age, 27 July 1936, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MONDAY, JULY 27, 1936. ANOTHER BID FOR PEACE.

Admirable principles of action were laid down by tbe representatives of Britain, France and Belgium in the conversations which concluded in London on Thursday last. To say that the way has thus been bpened to European agreement and peace might be optimistic and certainly would be premature. At least, however, the way to a settlement has been plainly indicated. It Was agreed by the three Powers that the aim of all European nations should be to consolidate peace by a general settlement and that such a settlement can only be achieved by the free cooperation of all the Powers concerned. The three Governments evidently did the right thing also in deciding to bring Germany and Italy into consultation at the earliest convenient date. In effect, Germany and Italy are offered an opportunity of discussing with the other Locarno Powers, from the broadest standpoint, questions affecting European peace. The communique issued at the close of the London conversations stated that the first business of the projected conference should be to negotiate a new agreement to take the place of the Locarno Pact and to resolve, through the collaboration of all concerned, ‘ 1 the situation created by the German initiative of March 7” (the reoccupation of the Rhineland), but added that if progress could be made at the meeting, other matters affecting European peace would necessarily come under discussion.

An open and frank invitation is thus extended to Germany and Italy to discuss peace problems on their merits. Whether it is helpful or not, the result can hardly be other than illuminating. The great questions to be resolved are whether Germany can be brought :o discuss the consolidation of peace anti whether, as she has been asked by Britain, she regards herself as being now.in a position to conclude genuine treaties. If treaties concluded henceforth with Germany are to he of any value, there evidently must be an end of conditions in which she has sought to her non-observance of treaty obligations on the plea of being placed in a position of inferiority by other nations, and of being in a measure under duress. Germany is being invited to show her hand, and if she is honestly intent on peace can hardly have any objection to doing so. One view of the matter is that Germany, under her present rule, is incapable of making a genuine response to any peace overture because the Nazi regime relies on martial demonstration, and may yet rely on war, as a means of distracting the attention of the people of the Reich from internal economic troubles. On the other hand, Herr Hitler has not only declared time and again that he stands for peace and recognises that war woald bring disaster to all concerned, but has himself in recent times put forward specific p«eace proposals, though it is true that little has been heard of these proposals during the last month or two. On all grounds the new effort at conciliation decided upon in the London conversations is well worth making and should be tried out as soon as possible. The tone of the preliminary replies already received from Germany and Italy suggest that the proposed five Power discussions need not be long delayed.