The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, APRIL 29th, 1922. THE WEEK

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1922, Page 2

The Hokitika Guardian SATURDAY, APRIL 29th, 1922. THE WEEK

Tilk observance of-Au/.ac Day in the Dominion was very thorough. Through out New Zealand the day was made what it was intended to he. a holy day of remembrance. In Australia they have not yet gone as far with their legislation in making the occasion a specially sacred fine. That it is so in this country, is duo entirely to the organisation of tin- Itoturnod Soldiers, who deeply mindful of their lost comrades urged Me Co.-eminent to pass legislation which has led to a very strict observance of the day. Anzac Day is now definitely fixed as a time for close observance, and tile respect for the day will no doubt he marked similarly for all time. The occasion is called a day of remembrance, and the surrounding circumstances ar t . such, that the thoughts fly mostly to the dead. But there must be roan!, also, to remember the living. The occasion therefore Is a reminder of the great sacrifice made in the 'tar by hi! those who served-. While there are tender thoughts in memory for the dead, there must be practical thoughts for the living. While over sixteen thousand New Zealanders lie dead in many lands that we may live here in peace, so as part of the price is the fact there are 41,000 back in New Zealand maimed and disabled, and over 1,000 men (many of them with dependents) are unemployed. New Zealand hits not acted niggardly towards her soldiers—but the find is not yet, and out of gratitude for the noble services performed, the generous recognition of what lias been done must continue, and particularly must the maimed and unemployed be cared for.

Ihki.and'b troubles arc being continually reborn by the acts of the irreeuicilablcs. The sharp split over the treaty in the southern portion has been responsible for many heinous offences, and heavy loss. Although the rival Sinn Fein leaders met last February, and reached an agreement at Dublin, that agreement is not lw?ilig kept by the rank and file. Murder is still ram--1 ant. In the north tile rival fr.ctiuis are beyond control, and wild shooting is the order of the day and night, Hut no agreement reached between the leaders would appear to have aliy ..tr-reaehing effect: In any ease; the agreement of February 22 has been followed by a series of happenings which nlake a nlocker.y of the professions of mutual trtist and unity of purpose with Which its acceptance was accompanied. It is stated that the latest movement of the Republican forces miller General O'Connor is an indication that de Valfera has been superseded. Whether this is so or not is of less importance than the fact that is indicates that the Republican element bon. tinue to dominate the situation with armed forces in the face of which Mr Collins and Mr Griffith are, to all af--1 earances, powerless. Tlwy may, as is claimed, have the majority of the people behind them, but how is that question to he determined in face of existing conditions? And even if proved m their favour, how are they to carry on the government of the country oj - posed by the armed power of the Republican irreeoncilables, who refuse to recognise their authority ?

Gknoa is the centre of all inteiest. Despite the general conditions" of Europe, the nations gathered at tae conference are .more bent on national aggrandisement than world safely There is Die plainest distrust abroad, and an absence of that confidence which would count for success. Britain’s representatives through its outstanding lender Mr Lloyd George, are having a difficult time. The difficulties of the position are being added to by a section of the British press, which for purely political purposes seeks to place the national representatives at Genoa in a false position. The NorthelifFo press it would appear is likely to overstep the mark. It was siirelv an unusual circumstance for a Prime Minister to publicly correct the “Times” and “Daily Mail” statements as Mr Lloyd George had occasion to do lately. Both papers have a vast circulation and a standing which counts. It seems a pity the influence t’he Northeliffe papers can exercise is not used in a fairer wny. Britain is hampered, too, by the •petillaait outbreaks of France from time to time. Despite the frequent ponferenccp between the British and French Premiers, France still persists in mistrusting the British attitude, and

nfwurnlly hv the irresponsible stateincuts made, is jeopardising the Allied situation. There seems to be a strange absence of eummon sense in dealing with llie whole position. The interests i I one are the interests of the whole, but this axiom does not apply and eaeb seeks to work out its own destiny in its own way, irresponsible of the others.

Britain's attitude in regard to Russia is not generally understood : The diplomatic situation as affected by Bolshevik methods in the East and the menace of India, are not fully guaged by those taking only a superficial view of the European and Asian position. Isolated and alone. Russia was seeking by any and all means to gain a voice in the concert of nations, and Britain appears to have realised the position betimes. An English writer lately said in regard to the growing Rnss'ian peril, that Mr Lloyd George hoped to arrest the Communists’ “direct energies of contributed funds” by arranging their re-entry into the European concert. He wants to reopen the Russian markets to British exports in an endeavour to resurrect the pre-war piosperity of British commerce and reduce unemployment at honle; and also, by facilitating German commerce in Russia, to divert German dumping liom Britain towards Russia. He is we.i advised in trying to arrest Communism at the gates of India. Indeed, it is worthy of note that the Soviets a: e continuing the former Czar’s policy of extension towards the Persian Gulf i.nd Afghanistan, which is a direct menace to India, and that is done now witu weapons which arc more forceful while being more insidious. A treaty has been signed between Moscow and Angora, guaranteeing the integrity of Turkey. At the instigation c. Moscow a similar treaty has been sign- , ed between Angora and Afghanistan on ; the basis of a reciprocal guarantee and ( support, Kabul acknowledging the icligious authority of the Sultan. The | Anglo-lVrsian treaty of 1919 has been ( denounced and the Russians have taken , England’s place, Persia giving Russia ; the right to defend her against foreign | intervention, which amounts to placing i herself under a Russian protectorate | In Afghanistan a treaty has been sign- , ed between the Russian mission headed by M. Suritz and the Emir. Some dis- ( sensions did cool the Emir’s new Mend ship, but the new agent of the SoViets, M. ZonefF, is doing bis utmost to replace relations on a better footing. Thus a net of treaties and intrigues is being woven around India. Mr Lloyd George expects to stop those activities by obtaining the recognition of the Soviet Republic by the European Powers. Amu her of Ids aims is to reopen the doors of Russian trade to British commerce: yet another is to gbe Germany an opportunity of reorganising Russia under the pretext of diverting German exports from England towards Russia, But if the resumption of trade with Russia caused the revival of British commercial power it Would also, and there particularly revive German power. Once rhViVed; arid having asserted itself-as olid; conscious of her strength, who will undertake to affirm that Germany will pay her debts or, indeed, guarantee the world against another aggression—this time with the idea of revenge?

On the other hand, continues the writer just quoted, France feels that should Britain he prepared to undertake to support lief in niiy emergency, or should she (Ffaiice) he given the Rhine frontier, she couid afford to view all the German danger with equanimity. She would take the risk: but with neither the one nor the other can she take the chance? This is France’s first objections to the policy which Mr 'Llovd George wants her co-operation at Genoa. Let us point out another. This policy might receive some support if the Soviet was a, responsible Government, like the Governments of other Powers. But such i.s not the case. Bolshevism can exist only in a country which is self sufficient, or whose neighbours are jthemselves under ooiitmuiliist rule.’ Russia is tiot—even when under complete economic development—a country capable of being self-sufficient. It is therefore a. vital necessity to her, as a communistic State, that her neigh hours I)c* communists. The present policy of the Soviets therefore is to gain time; and Bolshevism can subsist only by expanding and absorbing neigh bowing States. Towards that end. which is the only hope of surviving, all means, and any means ar 0 opportune. Compliance with nndertakihgs exists only iti so far as it is beneficial to propaganda. Good faith on the part of the Soviets spells negation of Bolshevism. It is therefore an illusion to l>elieve that the Bolsheviks will observe whatever conditions irk them in any contract. “Afl the British business men who have endeavoured to trade with the Soviets.” says Mr Reconly in the “Revue de France,” “return from Russia disappointed and angered. Their letters of protest fill the columns of the ‘Times.’ Everything has been destroyed in Russia. There is no currency, no means of exchange to pay for the products delivered ; there is particularly ‘neither honesty or security. All is anarchy and chaos. Local authorities act according to their own lights, requisition ing or confiscating merchandise in definance of central authority.”

The complexities of the whole position are therefore apparent, and the public must he patient as to the outcome. The gaps hot ween some of the nationals are not going to be easily spanned. Still, all the time, matters are forging steadily forward towards a universal pact of peace. Tf that can he accomplished only in a measure or even for a limited time, it will he some I thing worth while, as the breathing space will afford the opportunity to gain international confidence. That is the main essential lacking—the want of .good faith in each. It must be borne in mind that the whole situation i.s born of the hatred and chagrin engendered by a desperate period of war, and it is not easy to restore confidence. Probably to do so effectively, there is still lacking the master stroke to work its magic effect. That might be done, through the economic question, when the preliminary matter of pence is disposed of. The situation as a whole is governed in the main by trade and commerce, the pioney side nn<j some sweeping suggestions

been put forward to rehabilitate European finance. A writing off, u,r at least a writing clown, of the huge debts owing would bo a material help in the .direction of ensuring peace through the re-establishment of confidence among the nations. How far 1 this fcan came to pass is beyond estimate here. It is an heroic suggestion, ' and one which has certain elements about ’it which would appeal greatly to the peoples as a whoie. Britain, of course, would have to make the greatest monetary sacrifice as she did in war time, but if peace could be fully assured' would it not be worth all the money ?