HOKITIKA GUARDIAN & EVENING STAR "SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 1920. THE WEEK.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 February 1920, Page 2

HOKITIKA GUARDIAN & EVENING STAR "SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st, 1920. THE WEEK.

The week- has witnessed remarkable events on the other side of the world. In America there are the elements for'a great political crisis, contributed by the disruption in President Wilson’s Cabinet, and the question of the health or Mr Wilson. Then there came Mr Wilson’s Note oh the Adriatic question, which followed to its logical conclusion means setting the United States against Britain, France and Italy. Next there was tlie Allied hack-down on the request that the alleged German war criminals should be given up, and also the mild acceptance of the Dutch determination fo hold the ex-Kaiser. Also, there were the horrors of Bolshevism in southern Russia, and a revival of the Armenian atrocities in Asia Minor. This does not exhaust the catalogue of epoch-making events in the northern hemisphere, hut in their far-reaching effect they emphasise that the aftermath of the war can he even no less disturbing and uncertain of happenings than the progress of .war ' itself. The time when “the wprjd wenjb very well” is far removed, and the (Course ,of events is so much dislocated now that the people are beginning to realise tins old world of ours can never appear the same again as it did in pre-war days. There are now sets of conditions arising •nationally everywhere. The burden of the war itself has .put a terrible strain on all the European participants, and the economic conditions of the countries has placed them all in such a plight .that they are well nigh helpless of themselves. Succour has to come from somewhere and they are looking to the better positioned of their neighbors, f lie countries in America apt} Asi.a which reaped richly from the war, are now taking a superior, not to sny a purseproud view of the situation in Europe. The conditions there are abnormal, and there is the disposition to profit upon them. Despite the great ideal of the League of Nations, its spirit is not showing itself as hospitably as one might expect from its most professing supporters before its birth.

Ix the United States, an anti-belliger-ent nation during most of the war, there is very little disposition to subscribe to the League covenant in anything like the spirit which might be expected. Where trust was expected, distrust appears, and makes grounds for ignoring the League principle. Mr Wilson was stumping his country in favor of the covenant when his health broke down. Now when lie is supposed to be convalescent he falls out with his prominent Cabinet members, and jeopardises completely the possible ratification of the Treaty. More, lie ignores the period of his illness, and his ill-informed knowledge of the condition of Europe while being laid aside, and the fact that his own representatives held aloof from the Supreme Council, and now seeks to dictate in a marked domineering manner the actions of the Council during the period his country elected to stand aloof from the Peace Conference. The position would be inexplicable were it not that Mr Wilson appears to he a very sick man. As the Italian press puts it, the Sick Man of America wishes to prescribe for the sick na.tions of Europe. Perhaps on the principle .that “like cures like,” Mr Wilson might hope that by soirjo happy chance ho would score, and bring about a happier

condition of things, but the Premiers of Britain, France and Italy have, told him that he has butted in at the wrong time, nnd his interference can produce only a state of affairs worse than the first. It is plain that the carrying out of the Treaty conditions is going to be a series of international - compromises. A very bad bargain has to be faced all about Europe, and to grapple with the complex situations will require not iron rules or iron wills, but the spirit to deal with things as they are for the benefit of the continent as a whole. Air Wilson is afar off. His country is situated differently to the European states, and he does not realise where the interests of the people are. On that point he should concede much to the European statesmen.

The Allies appear to have taken the line of least resistance in regard to the demand for the surrender of the German war criminals. The Allied countries appear to have made the mistake at the outset, of asking for too much. The lists were far too long, and if they had been complied with, it would have taken years to dispose of the cases—at an enormous cost- and much heart-burn-inirg all round. The length of the lists incensed the people widely because so many were affected, and carried into effect a condition as had as war would have created in Germany, and it would have fallen largely to Britain and France to deal with the situation. Moie and more" debt would have been piled up for very little benefit. The position now is that the accused are to be tried by their own tribunals, the Allies reserving

the right to review any cases where not satisfied that the ends of justice have been met. This will be more economical certainly, and if it satisfies the German conscience on the matter well and good. At last the accused will he called to account, and will have to answer for their offences. By that means the guilty will be brought out into the light of day, and all the world will come to know the height nnd depth of Germany’s war crimes. The case of tho etx-Kaiser is somewhat different. Mr, Lloyd George promised in his pre-elec-tion speeches that the Kaiser was to be brought to the bar of justice to answer for the great crime of the war. Holland has refused to give up the Kaiser for trial, and the Netherland’s Government has been told how it is thereby convincing at the very offences which made the Kaiser infamous. Holland has taken up a stand, and only force which means war—could attach the Kaiser. A middle course has been offered to have the Kaiser banished to some Dutch sanctuary. This, also, is refused. What action the Allies will trt e in reprisals remains to be seen, and Mr Lloyd George’s own opinion's are still undisclosed. But it is reasonable to expect that Holland will not flaunt the will of the Allies and remain scathless. Some form of redress will probably be enforced in the end.

The condtion of South Russia, where the Bolsheviks continue their orgies, as at Odessa, and the misrule in Asia Minor, where the Armenians are still the victims of the infidels by the thousand; are examples of how war has not ended war. The plight of the countries i suggest that they are still within the throes of an uncivilised age, and that might alone rules and holds sway. General Deniken has made a fresh start in his anti-Bolshevik task, enlisting the aid of the Cossacks, to whom he has promised if victorious, a reign of internal Socialism under secure government. Opinion in Britain, and even in the British Cabinet, continues to he divided as to the Allies’ duty towards Russia. It is plain that for lack of adequate support the antisßolsheviks are being beaten hack, and that murder and misery are rampant now, because the Allies when they had put their hands to the plough and commenced to furrow their way to Petrograd, elected before the task was accomplished to turn back and evacuate the terirtory dominated. Russia grows redder with the blood of her own people. Its a terrible object lesson to the world, but the world is sadly blind to the awful example held up. In Armenia, little or nothing is being done to stop the massacres of the inno cent. Turkey has been warned as of old ,but what effect this warning will have can be easily imagined. Peaceful penetration will move but slowly in such an unsettled country, and force alone will bring the irresponsible nomads to a sense of their bearing if a genuine peace is to be enforced

The Government lias not shown much consideration for Westland when it schedules but ten minutes of the time of the Prince of, Wales to stop at Otira. This will afford time barely sufficient for His Highness t.o transfer from train to coach. This is a poor ryquittal for the loyalty Westland has shown at ail times, and a niggardly recognition of the full and confident support this community has demonstrated to tile Government and individual Minis, ters in times of stress. Westland deserves better treatment, and wg hope it will he afforded yet. Doubtless considering the demands for big functions at the centres, where the multitudes most do congregate it might not be possible to pay Cinderella Westland , very special attention; but something more might be granted as a concession to the district for what it has been, is and will be. It would be a very nice compliment to Westland if His Royal Highness were allowed to detrain at Jacksons, and motor fo Otira and on to Arthur’s pass seeing something of the bush beauties of the road. Also, that Westland schools should he granted facilities to train to Otira, and assembling there, give the Frince tho opportunity of walking through their lines. It would be possible to do this and return home the same day. The folk did it eleven years ago for “the first shot” ceremony and despite the deluge that day the time-table was carried out com. plotelly. Another appeal should he made to the Government to give Westland some measure of justice as affecting the Royal visit and we trust the appeal will not he in vain.

Tins has been a wonderful week for local entertainments of all kinds—a. sort of carnival time with all the variety of such an occasion. The visit of the “Diggers” was properely recognised and honour done the men for their service abroad. They impressed all .who met them as a fine stamp of men, and it can .he understood how well they kept up the reputation of Now Zealand abroad. They are a credit to tho Do-

minion. The Chautauqua season grew in favor night by night, and it is not too much to believe that the visit will leave its mark ou the people themselves. Chautauqua is very elevating organisation. It means well, and it sets about doing well in a manner calculated to command success. The entertainments brought to the people for quite a nominal charge when calculated on the basis of a charge for a season ticket, are excellent, and the variety given is an indication of the capability of the management directing the organisation. The most effective feature of the season is the lectures. For these able lecturers were provided, and not one but was able to hold and thrill his auditors. Few there are who having heard the lecturers would not have

had his or her mind opened to some new view of life and living, and this all counts for the betterment of the world. The way the children were handled, is another evidence of the cood work of Chautauqua. Could not the Junior Town Mayor keep his constituents together, and start to organise the town on the lines their lesson s worked? If some local leader would take up the matter immediate benefit from the Chautauqua season would result. Cannot something be done through the schools and the teachers?