The Wanganui Chronicle. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1942. THE ATLANTIC CHARTER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 113, 16 May 1942, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. SATURDAY, MAY 16, 1942. THE ATLANTIC CHARTER

■J’llE imp!icaiioiis of the Atlantic Charter cannot be ignored because they are an integral part of the xvar aims of the United Nations. The Atlantic'Charter provides the picture of what the democracies are fighting for. It is not enough that Hitler ant: Mussolini and the Japanese Shogunate shall be defeated; it is essential that const motive action shall be taken to establish a new world order which is licit her Hiller’s nor is it the present xvorld order. Fortunately nobody is so satisfied with present conditions as to want to retain them unaltered. Fortunately, too, there is no reaction against revolution which marred the minds of many people during the years which followed the close of the Napoleonic \\ ars. From ths psychological standpoint the outlook is undoubtedly promising. The conception of international relations to which America and Britain stand committed by the Charter is equal opportunity for all «ations, victors and vanquished, of access by all nations to raxv materials, and equality of opportunity for all nations to trade Ji the xvorld. The specific resolutions read as follows:—• “Fourth: They will endeavour, with due respect for their existing obligations, to further the enjoyment of all 'States, great or small, victor or vanquished, of access, on equal terms, to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity. “Fifth: They desire to bring about the fullest collaboration between all nations in the economic field with the object of securing tor all improved labour standards, economic advancement and social security. ‘Sixth: Alter the lilial destruction of the Nazi tyranny, tbej hope lo see established a peace which will afford to all nations the means ol dwelling in safety within their own boundaries, and which will afford assurances that all the men in all the lands may live out [heir lives in freedom from fear and waul.” ibis provides a high level of achievement which the statesmen who will be entrusted with the peace must aim to accomplish. It is xx ide and it will require broad vision, but there are implications within those three clauses which will give ground for jiat'ise. There are selfish interests that will wish to circumvent this international eo-operalion. and they will raise again the old cries of national I interesi. of a balanced economy, of the sell-supporting and sell- . < out<ii inneiil arguments so familiar to those who have listened to I Hie economic isolationists. It is all v, ry well lo insist- that Hie I work of implementing the Uliarter will be entrusted to experts, but lhe vital question is who shall .select the experts, and on whom > shall such experts depend? At the back of this problem is a moral one: it is whether the people of the various countries concerned will be big enough to bear sacrifices. The Peace Conference which will endeavour to put Hie Charter s principles into practice isn't going to be a prizedistribution ceremony. Further, the Peace Conference will meet under the strain ol hatnds born of severe wrongs indicted over a series of years, and there will be many men who will demand that justice, retributive justice, shall then' be done in the economic lit’ld- I'or instance, .shall the re-establishment of Czechoslovakia .ami Poland and the war-dex aslaled portions of Russia, the cities "I Coventry, Bath. York and Norwich, be done at the expense of lhe German people.' Shall Germany and Italy be called upon to make restoration .’ It is a reasonable point of view for the victims to adopt: blit II the Conference does adopt their view there will immediately arise a strong body in Europe which will lie con'■erned to perpetuate siu-h retributive eomlii ions. These will probably join forces with the economic isolationists. If these succeed in compelling the Peace Conferem-i' to modil'v the objectivis as expressed in lhe Atlantic Charter, then ,he era of better working conditions and of better living standards the world over will be delayed.