The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES." GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1939 PURCHASING PEACE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19999, 26 July 1939, Page 4

The Gisborne Herald. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED “THE TIMES." GISBORNE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 26, 1939 PURCHASING PEACE

Apparently quite a sensation was caused in British political circles at the week-end by the publication of reports that proposals had been discussed for a large loan to Germany to assist her to convert her war activities to a peaceful commercial basis. The incident is of interest for more reasons than the most apparent one. The reports were originally contained in three responsible and influential London newspapers, but the following day they were categorically denied by the British Government spokesman, who declared that "members of the Cabinet were astounded at the story.” Responsible newspapers do not publish reports of this character without some reasonably substantial authority, and at this point it might havg been concluded that some Minister, or even the Governament itself, had been indulging in the popular pastime of “kite-flying”—putting out a feeler in an endeavour to judge the public reaction. The denial, however, came so rapidly on the heels of the story itself that this explanation hardly seemed to be tenable, and had the matter been left there it might well have been concluded that usually reliable newspapers had, for once, been misled. At this interesting stage, the Secretary to the Board of Trade, with commendable honesty, came into the open and accepted responsibility for the story.

Thus was the truth given to the adage that “where there’s smoke there’s fire,” and the press, for a change, was vindicated. This experience might be taken to heaht, for the truth is that the press, which is so often abused, does not manufacture news, but frequently is called upon to accept the blame which those responsible have not the courage to shoulder. And whatt of the report itself? Is it as “fantastic” as British official quarters describe it, or does it not, perhaps, offer a solution of the troubles now confronting the world? Mr. Hudson was invited to meet the German Minister of Economics during the visit of the latter to London. According to Mr. Hudson, Herr Wohltat thought that the international situation had never been more dangerous, and, having learned of tthe stiffening attitude of the British people, he greatly feared an explosion. Technical possibilities of overcoming the difficulties were then discussed unofficially, and Mr. Hudson frankly admits that he advanced the suggestion of a loan to Germany to enable her to restore her industry and recover her trade if she gave up manufacturing armaments on a large scale. On the face of it, at least, there does not seem to be anything outrageous in this proposal, and it may well be that it is the only practicable alternative to war. One London newspaper has stated that such a loan would be the biggest blackmail payment in history, and this, unfortunately, may be the view that will be accepted by those who permit their vision to be obscured by political bias. The basic fact in any consideration of this question must be that Germany is such a large and powerful nation that she cannot by any conceivable means be eliminated from the economy of the world. She is entitled to a share id the world’s trade, and, unless she is given it on reasonable terms, then she will inevitably, in desperation, fight for it—and she is far more likely to fight if she believes that she has nothing to lose. If as an alternative to fighting for her rights they are offered to her freely, and if reasonable assistance is given to her to obtain them, then her efforts, and those of other nations, can be directed to improving the lot of their peoples instead of preparing for their destruction through war. Some people, of course, would call this appeasement, but surely it is only common sense to adopt a policy that would bring comfort and security to all peoples, and the only policy that can achieve this objective is one that will bring Germany within the comity of nations and enable all countries to devote their efforts to trade instead of war.

There is no apparent reason why such an attitude should be regarded as surrender to Germany; If it were then it could reasonably be condemned. Sooner or later, Germany must take her legitimate part in inter-

national trade, and the sooner the better. If it comes to war, or if, as an alternative, Germany is forced into submission, which does not seem probable, other nations will still be required, even if only in their own interests, to assist in the rehabilitation of the country, because the civilised world of to-day would not permit even the people of a vanquished nation to live in constant subjection. If, therefore, the economic rehabilitation of Germany is essential, surely it it better to assist in bringing it. about as an alternative to war. rather than as a sequel to it. A loan of £1,000,000,000, which has never been mentioned officially, is described as gigantic, and the use of this epithet serves to illustrate the lack of balance that is so apparent to-day. Great Britain alone can spent £1,000,000,000 in 18 months on weapons of war which can achieve no fruitful purpose and the public accepts it with complacency, but if a similar expenditure is suggested in the interests of peace it is said to be gigantic and fantastic. If peace can be secured at that price then it would be cheap, because if war came larger sums would be spent every few weeks and there would be nothing but destruction to show for it. This proposal, therefore, should not be lightly dismissed, but should receive careful any sympathetic consideration.