The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14th, 1921. WORLD HAPPENINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 December 1921, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian WEDNESDAY, DEC. 14th, 1921. WORLD HAPPENINGS.

After a period of dark and dreary times, a happier lot is promising for tlie world at large. The Washington Conference a.s it unfolds itself, is giving the world some pleasant surprises. Yet the results are but of that sane order which might be expected from sensible folk once they got together, and faced tlieir problems at (4°se range. A round the table conference is always a useful way to reach the more definite conclusions. Long armed diplomacy carried on by briefly expressed tele-

■'riiuis or more verbose communications necessarily falls short of the mark. The value of .1 personal meeting and understanding is ever so much more helpful, and this is being very happily demonstrated at Washington. When the disarmament resolutions were brought down at the Conference, and the proposals were so readily accepted bv the principal nations concerned, the first long step towards a practical international understanding was reached. The meeting and confidences exchanged in the frank speeches have led up to the fuller results mow manifesting themselves. It is very good news indeed to learn that the four great Powers have come to an understanding in regard to a peace treaty, as they did but a few years ago in their war alliance. It is but complementary of tho latter that the peace understanding

should fructify. No doubt the experiences of the war period and its aftoi math have made the pence proposals possible. The international; _ alliance of the four great Powers will he a guarantee securing the future peace of the world. What greater result could be hoped for? It is the happiest augury for the future. A stable, alliance all powerful and capable of ensuring the peace of the world, we may say in fact, is an outcome of the Great War It has been slow in coming, but it is'now at band. When the war was in progress we were told often it was a war to end war. When the armistice came and rejoicings went on round tho world all seemed well, hut the aftoimath of the war seemed almost as terrible as the war period itself. The world was upset, and indulged in insane doings. A change lias and the leading statesmen of the Great Powers getting together, have framed a sane and sensible treaty of world peace which will bo an enormous relief to all ninnkind. The groat, matters of the nations’ foreign policies being thus ear-marked for peaceful settlement and development the nations will have greater freedom and opportunity for home legislation and the amelioration of the internal administration. This conjoined with the tremendous relief tho nations will feel in the reduced taxation following the strapping of heavy defence methods, will open the way to that newer world which the war period has now rendered possible. It is altogether appropriate that this all engrossing and momentous event should transpire at this season of the year. The occasion marks a great epoch in the world’s history. for it will he of great service to all mankind.