DEMOCRACY AND DIPLOMACY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2442, 22 April 1915, Page 6

DEMOCRACY AND DIPLOMACY

TREND TOWARDS UNIVERSAL PEACE London, April 20. In a letter to. the Press, Lord Cromer asks: "AVould universal democracy in a somewhat extreme form bo accessary to inaugurate a universal reign of peace!' (Would an extreme degrco of popular control of foreign affairs guarantee peace?"

The "Times," in a leader, comments ou tho interesting, suggestive letter, iviiicli raises questions of high importance to the country and -the Empire. "Lord Cromer suggests, as wo read his letter, that the answer to both questions ought to be in the negative. 'While we think it impossible to predict with certainty the attitude the democracies in the future will adopt on foreign affairs, we agree with Lord • Cromer that the present trewl of democratic opinion is towards peaco, and that the democracies of the Empire would readily acknowledge tho need for secrecy in the negotiations of diplomacy if Ministers would only speak fully and frankly to them regarding the main outlines of foreign policy. The days are closing when those' generously sharing our losses and labours in the war can remain without a voice in questions of defence and foreign affairs concerning them as deeply as ourselves.—"Times" and Sydney "Sun" services.