THE POSITION IN EUROPE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19771, 19 February 1927, Page 6

THE POSITION IN EUROPE

As already remarked, France considers the proposals unnecessary, and thinks the United States is “pushing in,” seeing that the League already has the machinery to effect the purpose in view. But she has another reason, which is that the question of disarmaament must include not only naval, but land and air strength as well. And France, as the result of centuries of bitter experience, is still in dread of land attack. Earnest peace advocates are given to wondering why she should so stubbornly sold to this view in such an age as that of the 20th. century. One answer is that Communist machinations are responsible.

Europe’s danger spot is Russia. The change from Czarism to Communism has not cured Russia of her lust for world conquest. She dreams of imposing the “Red” gospel by force of arms, and has the biggest army on earth. Because of that army the Baltic States, with Poland in the lead, maintain military organisation for their own defence. Because the Germans fear, or say they fear, that Poland meditates' an attack upon them, and because, too, they dream of a revenge upon France, they arc using every means to defeat the Treaty of Versailles and secretly to build up their own military strength again. And, in turn, France fears Germany. The position, then, so far as France is concerned, is that she will not consider naval limitation without land limitation, and will not entertain the latter while the menace from the East continues. This attitude can easily be understood. As for Britain, she has always shown herself ready to respond to any proposal for disarmament. British good nature and sporting instinct may be trusted to lead her a long way in this direction, as has already been proved. But it may be doubted whether they will lead her to tie herself down, while France and Italy are permitted to build at their pleasure. Some one should suggest to President Coolidge—if, as his Secretary of State suggests, he has no faith in the League—that he should try a new scheme in which Russian disarmament should be the first thing to be aimed at.