The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1927. THE POWERS AND DISARMAMENT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19766, 14 February 1927, Page 6

The Wanganui Chronicle MONDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1927. THE POWERS AND DISARMAMENT

It already seems plain that it is upon France and Italy that interest will be ehiefly focussed in respect of President Coolidge’s proposals for further naval disarmament. Their views, as set out in the latest cable news, though unofficially expressed, illustrate the difficulties in the way. Without complete unanimityin the final decision it is obviously hopeless to look for any step forward, for no country is likely to accept even a partial disarmament unless all the others do likewise. No could it be expected to.

Evidently the President’s invitation will be accepted by all the Powers concerned. Public opinion would compel that in any case. Britain can be expected to respond unreservedly. Germany also welcomes the proposals, probably the more heartily because she has nothing to lose and much to gain by them, and because she believes the United States has no axe to grind. Japanese opinion does not share this latter view, for, while agreeable to the proposals in principle, it hazards a shrewd guess that the motive behind them is connected with the condition of the States’ own internal politics.

Support of the Japanese opinion comes from Washington itself. It is said that, even there, there is no optimism as regard results, while, in addition, we get the illuminating statement that to bring the United States fleet to a level with that of Britain would involve a tremendous building programme. If there be anything in this, it would suggest that the United States is prompted to move in the matter less by altruism than by a desire to save expense, in plain words that she has an axe to grind after all. However, public opinion will not be disposed to be over-critical about motives, if benefit result. France, it is said, is regarded as the chief stumbling block. French press opinion points out that a country fearing no land attack could well afford to make such proposals, but it is believed they would damage France’s interests, while there seems also a certain amount of resentment against the United States for pushing into the matter when the requisite machinery already exists at Geneva. Possibly France has in mind the United States’ cynical turning down of the League of Nations and the World Court after she had herself initiated them.

Italy is also reported as willing to confer, provided she is allowed to have at least as large a navy as France. The reason for the state of both French and Italian opinion, though not yet officially uttered, undoubtedly lies in the fear of a land

attack. To people whose geographical position is one of insularity or isolation, this view may appear only an obsession. But it is not difficult to understand if the facts of history are borne in mind. Granted that both France and Italy have sometimes filled the role of aggressor, it has not always been so. For centuries the fear of foreign invasion has been ever* present with them, and too often their fears have proved well founded. To that may be added the fact that they are mutually suspicious of each other.

No nation can live in such a frame of mind for a thousand //ears on end and then, in the twinkling of an eye, shed a belief that long experienc3 has made part of the national mentality. A moment’s thought will make this evident, and will go towards explaining why these two countries appear less cordial towards the President’s proposals than is the ease with Britain and Japan.

The only atmosphere that will lead to success in this matter is one of confidence. Continual suspicion will make all such efforts nugatory, however well-meant they be. It so happens that none of the naval Powers is disposed to believe in the good faith of the others too readily, and it may be admitted that events give some ground for this. It will probably be found that the removal of this state of mind will prove far more difficult, than the settling of the details of disarmament.