OPTIMISTIC VIEW

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20853, 11 July 1939, Page 9

OPTIMISTIC VIEW

NO WAR FOR A TIME ARCHBISHOP O’SHEA’S OPINION ITALY FRIENDLY TO BRITAIN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Monday An address on his observations in Europe was given by Archnishop u'Shea, Archbishop of Wellington and Mefropolitan of New Zealand, to the Wellington branch of the League of Nations Union tonight, 'lie said his comments were given as his personal views for what they were worth. lie remarked on the danger of dictatorships arising among people impoverished by money power, 'which lie described as the “super government.” Europe was very unsettled, and some people thought there would be war, said the speaker, but he was more optimistic, and did not think there would be war for a while. One reason was that the time was too soon after the last war; Loo many people had sad memories of it. Another reason why he thought there would not be war was that there was going to be a very laqge exhibition in Rome in 1942, and perhaps the very fact that that was going to be held would restrain the authorities. Archbishop O’Shea said he had heard a Jot of talk in England about an alliance between Russia, France and England, but there was tremendous opposition to it. He was afraid the powers in England and France were rather pannicky, fearing perhaps an alliance between Herr Hitler and M. Stalin, and wanting to keep Russia neutral. Russia had not a good name. There was no doubt she was the arch foe of civilisation and democracy, and she had not changed from the time of the Tsars. She had done a tremendous amount of harm in Europe and France, and her aim was world revolution. Many prominent people thought she would like to iget Europe into a war which would end in revolution, and give her tier chance. Poland Powerful Poland was one of the most powerful countries. She had as many people as France and had been preparing lor many years since she had been united and given her liberty. The Poles had a magnificent army. They were magnificent soldiers, having twice saved Europe from barbarians. The Archbishop said he thought the Italians would like to make friends with Great Britain. As a result of misunderstandings and through the Left Wing in England, there had been a vendetta against Italy. Italy was the source of England's civilisation, and Italians would much rather be with England than against England. There were people in the United States of America who thought Mr Roosevelt would become a dictator before long, and they pointed to the great number of unemployed in Ihe country. It was because so many people were down and out that dictatorship came to Germany and Italy. Unfortunately, France was unsympathetic to Germany at that time, refusing help to stave it off. The Archbisho-p concluded by saying arms were not the only way to bring about peace; the nations must confer. His interest in the League of Nations Union was not one jot abated, and he hoped the principles of the League would triumph.