PEACE AND WAR

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 103, 25 January 1935, Page 6

PEACE AND WAR

Frenchman’s Point of View GROWTH OF PACIFISM Under the auspices of the Youth Peace Crusade Movement, Dr. D. Marquette, a distinguished French visitor to New Zealand, delivered an address at the Y.M.C.A rooms last evening. The chair was occupied by Mr. J. P. O'Regan, who said Hint Dr. Marquette was a great traveller and would Lei. them about the real FianceDr. Marquette said he hoped to clear up some of tile views held about his country and people, ami would also try to give those present the French idea of the peace movement. In rhe first place I lie visitor spoke of Hitler as a very patriotic German who was trying to straighten out the affairs of his country. He was an ardent idealist who had struggled for many years for a means to give ex pression to his reforms, and had at last succeeded Hitler believed in peace in Europe, to preserve'that continent from an invasion from Asia. The speaker also touched on the German attitude to the Jews and Hit-, ler’s fight for purity of ra.ee. There was really no pure-blooded race in Europe; indeed, if there were one. it was the Jews. Hitler had introduced many reforms based on his broad philosophical outlook. If It was desired to bring about a betterment of the race, Hitler said they had to get back to the laud. He had already placed many hundreds of thousands,, if not millions, on the soil. He was a man who wanted to do something for his country and people; but still they must not forget; the dark side of Hitler and the Nazi movement. France, he said, had been much maligned since the war, thanks to a bad Press. After the war France was not at ail sure that her position was safe. In 191!) when file Peace Treaty was' being drafted,- M. Bourgoi.s suggested a League of Nations force which would police the world, and that alt other armies and navies should be disbanded. That proposal was not accepted, but it showed France’s good faith in the matter of world peace. France now had an immense majority in favour of peace. It was difficult to recruit young men for officers in the Army—they were no longer interested in war. He bad read in a New Zealand magazine that the Saar trouble was going to cause a difficult situation in Europe owing, it was said, to the land-grabbing propensities of the French. But the French did not want further conquests or territory, and they denied none the right to live. France wished all international questions settled by the League of NationsAll progress toward peace must depend on individual progress. They did not deserve peace if they did not live day by day for peace. Dr. Marquette said there was going to be another war in 10 or 15 years. That would come because statesmen would not reform and change the causes which brought about war. The cause of war was the craving for markets by the great industrialists of the world. At the conclusion of his address. Dr. Marquette was given a very hearty vote of thanks.