THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 44, 15 November 1937, Page 4

THE BRUSSELS CONFERENCE.

Reading the cabled week-end report of proceedings at the Brussels Conference on Sino-Japanese relations, probahly; most of us will at the outset be inclined to agree with the .Chinese delegate, Dr. ^Wellington Koo, when he said that ' neither a spirit of conciliation nor soft words conld be of any avail with Japan," at any rate in her present mood of victorions exaltation. There is prohably a good deal of tmth, too, in his further statement that "the Conference 's efforts have been taken as a sign of weakness and have served only to inspire Japan's insolence." However, none of the other dele' gates would seem to have been moved to respond, hy suggesting more definite action, to China's appeal to the Conference "not to accept changes hy force of arms or to condone treaty violations" and "to contribnte to the stahiliy of peace by up- '* holding treaty ohligations." The most other representatives seem to have been prepared to do was to lend general moral support to Dr. Koo's words of censure, to deplore Japan's refusal of the mvitation to attend the Conference and pass not very forcible strictures on her violation of the treaties to which she had subscribed and on the motives and pnrposes behind it. The only suggestion of more impressive action is contained in the last paragraph of the proposed resolution: "That, in the event of Japan's continued refusal to attend the Conference^ the Powers miist consider what attitude to take when one par'ty claims to set aside a treaty which all the others hold to be operative." In the light of the outcome of similar resolutions adopted at earlier international gatherings, Japan may he justified in thinking that this does not amount to any very great deal, especially when she feels that she has Germany and Italy at he? hack. There thus seems but seant reason to expeet that Japan will appre.ciably modify the attitude she has adopted or refrain from continuing the forcible course she is pursuing. Probably so far as concerns Great Brit^in we should read as bearing on the deliberations of the Brussels Conference the speech which her Prime Minister, 'Mr. Neville Chamberlain, was simultaneously delivering at Edinburgh. In it he took, for him, a somewhat unwonted line in the way of emphasising Great Britains preparedness to uphold and protect British interests, which he holds to be her primary duty. For anything more than this he intimated clearly that' there must he some definite international co-operation in which his own country was ready to play her full parL This indication was doubtless meant for those Powers, which, while condemning the violation of treaties, seem always to look to Great Britain to take the lead in trying to enforce them and to accept the risks involved and the hostilities engendered by her so dping. To which of those Powers this was most point'eedly directed it is not very difficult to guess. Great Britain is seemingly getting a little hit tired of the role of acting as policeman for the 'world. In truth, it has to he confessed she is no longer in a position to do so in the face of the strong eombinations with which she migHt have to contend, and it will be just as well that all member units of the Empire should realise this. So, Mr. Chamberlain, in effect, says that Great Britain is -ready to fulfil her first duty hy defending herself and the Empire against any aggressive movements, but it is only in assured and effective concert with others that she will in any way interfere in other international disputes, a decision which is fully warranted by the unhappy experiences of the last two or three years. It has to be recognised, too, that this stand is fully consonant with the principle of "collective security"which has been the leading theme of Britain 's foreign policy for: so many years, and which alone she deems likely to assure permanent peace to the world. Her main anxiety just now is, as far as possible to avoid the appearance of taking sides with any limited combination against another, thus bringing about the same conditions as preceded the outbreak of the Great tWar. How far success will eventually crown this policy must .necessarily depend upon the sincere and active colloboration of other Great Powers that profess to be in agreement with her but are slow to commit theinselves to anything suggestive of risks or dangers to themselves.