AMONG THE GREAT POWERS.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 100, 14 May 1937, Page 4

AMONG THE GREAT POWERS.

Amid all the evidefices of loyalty and affection with which our King has heen greeted on his Coronation by the peoples who live trader the proeetion of the Eritish flag it is well for ns not to lose sight of the reception accorded to him ainong other nations of the world. To get rid first of the only really unpleasant incident in this connection, we have- to note tpe attitude adopted by Signor Mussolini. He has elected, in the most ostentatious way possible to a negative'stamd, to ignore the proceedings altogether.' The main reason he advances for declining to have his country officially represented is that his conquest of Abyssinia has not beeii diplomatically recognised by Great Britain and that the former Emperor of that country was still to he recognised as its "de jure" ruler. In this he is, of course, altogether overlookjng the fact that Great Britain still stands by the Covenant of the League of Nations — which he himself has so flagr.antly violated — and awaits the decision of that ho dy as to how his conquest is to he treated. Having regard only to Great Britain 's own material interests in Egypt and the Sudan mere selfish policy would have dictated recognition of his claims and the cultivation of his friendship at the saerifice of the principles involved. That would have'. heen the easy way, but Great Britain has refused to follow it, even at the risk of incurring Signor Mussolini 's grave displeasure. As to his direction to the thoroughly controlled Italian press to refrain from taking any notice of the celebrations, that is merply an indication oi littleness in a man who seeks, of all things, to be considered great and in some respects is so entitled. In contrast with the attitude of the Italian dictator is the eongratulatory message that comes from Pope Pius XI. through the official press organof the Vatican State. In his heart, no douht, His Holiness is bearing in mind the compiete liberty and equality of status, in both religious, civie and political life, which the adherents of his faith enjoy under British rule, while under yet another dictator his clergy are being subjected to all sorts of indignities and repressions. A reflection of this feeling is to he found in the impressive message which his Archbishop in this country a few days back addressed to his clergy and co-religionists generally, invoking the blessing of his Chureh upon him who has assumed the responsihilities of Kingship in a vast realm within which freedom to worship each in his or her own way is sacredly preserved for all. Jn France, our chief ally in the Great War and just now in fairly full accord with British foreign policy, it was only to be expected that the event would be hailed with'displays of a revival of the "Entente Cordiale," and Paris has shown herself in every way responsive. Of much greater significance, however, is the new note which, across the Rhine, is being struck by Herr Hitler. Whether in real coi'diality or snerely as a matter of national policy, he is evidently convinced that the friendship of Great Britain— which be could have had at any time for the asking in the proper spirit— -is well worth having, if not, indeed, essential to his country's economic recovery, From Mosqow, to'o, have come greetings such as it would have heen hopeless tp expect only a few years ago. With the cessation, or at any rate, very marked moderation, of Communist propaganda in Great Britain, the rejations of the two countries have become infinitely more friendly. M. Stalin, with over a hundred million of his own people to work on, finds his hands quite sufficiently full and is ready, too, to seek the friendship of Gr^at Britain. J apan, likewise, is also an» xious to renew the old friendly relations and has greatly moderated her attitude towards China, thus removing at least one great cmuse of estrangement. From the great American Bepublie there come expressions of a change in feeling towards Great Britain that has been gradually developing over the last few years and gives fair promise of a mntual understanding that before was sadly wanting between the two great English-speaking nation^. Indeed, so far has this gone that the more sanguine among us may see hopes of a co-operation that will mean much to both and to the world in general. In all these indications they may see some hope, too, that the opening of this new reign will mark the beginning of a new era in the world's history. Centring round the good will which Great Britain really bears to all, there may possibly he called forth among other countries a more general spirit of mutual accommodation to take the plaqe of the rank and reallyjnsane jealousies, enmities and hostilities that have been so much in evidence during postwar years.