THE GENEVA PROTOCOL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 21 March 1925, Page 4

THE GENEVA PROTOCOL.

The cables during the week have shown conclusively that the Geneva protocol has been ruled out by Britain. What are the alternatives? They would seem to be three, in number —a triple pact between England, France and Belgium, a quintuple pact embracing those countries, with the addition of Italy and Germany, and complete abstention from European affairs. The last-mentioned course has its advocates. Let Britain, they urge, revert to that tradition of majestic isolation which for so long governed her foreign policy. Never was she stronger, never was her prestige higher, than when she stood aloof. However, even should Britain desire to imitate America’s example and wash her hands of Europe, there are difficulties, both practical and sentimental, in the way. It should be remembered that even during the eighty years that preceded the Great War Britain's isolation was not absolute. She was a guarantor of Belgium’s neutrality, the infraction of which involved her in that war. Again, after the establishment of the Entente, there was the understanding that she would come to the assistance of France in the event of unprovoked attack. Moreover, conditions have changed. (Distance has been to a great extent annihilated. Britain has alinos„ ceased to be an island. Separated from the Continent by a few short miles, less than the range of a modern gun, can Britain dare to ignore what is going on upon the other side of the Channel? Nor should we overlook moral considerations which, despite the scoffs of the cynic, are a factor in- British policy. America may, a little self-righteouslv, refuse to contaminate herself by association with Europe’s bickerings and rivalrio#, Britain would bo untrue to herself if, in existing circumstances, she selfishly left Europe in tlfe lurch.