The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1926. THE LEAGUE FAILURE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 March 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 22, 1926. THE LEAGUE FAILURE.

Thk impasse readied with regard to tho admission of Germany to the I/oague of Nations was not to the credit of British diplomacy. The whole story has not been told, hut till it is it would appear that the British representative failed signally to live up to his reputation. All the honors which were crowded thick upon Sir Austen Chamberlain following, Lpcnrno are dimmed now because the promise to admit Germany to the League ol Nations lias not come to pass. Just how far France is responsible for this impasse remains to be seen, blit it would appear that some blame is attachable to France because of the. desire to keep at arm’s length from an ancient enemy. Still the admission of Germany was part and parcel of the pact following the war. and which was sealed at 'Locarno. In view of that solemn agreement it is hard to account for tho postponement of the ievent for six months. We feel inclined to think if Sir Austen stood by the bargain and sought to enforce it with British doggedness. it would have come to pass. There is the suggestion that Sir Austen was caught in the toils some little time ago by the wily French Ministers, and appearances seem rather to confirm that unfortunate situation. Just why Germany should lie held up at this stage when it seems all important for world settlement that tho Lea gue of Nations should become something of a reality, is not clear. Tt seems more important to have Germany a fixture than some of the smaller countries which are clamouring for seats on the executive of the League. The impasse is a. serious set hack to the League rnd its immediate future. It is not clear that time will help to solvv> the situation unless British statesmanship becomes more assertive. It is very clear that for certain reasons Britain is following the line of least resistance. Britain often temporises nowadays at an enormous cost rather than face the facts and nii?et the position with a front which will not ho denied. This is happening with home as well as foreign affairs, which is rather remarkable, because a- conservative government has been regarded always as a. strong government. But times are changed, and peace at any cost prevails more often than not. With Kurope remaining unsettled and the future rather obscure, Britain must suffer very greatly. Nationally she lias much to lose bv tbo indefiniteness of the situati on, which makes it the more remarkable that tbe British representative at Geneva did not make some gesture which would leave no doubt of the position, and linve prevented tbe impasse arising. The position as it stands is not to the credit of Britain, while Germany may now pose as a country with a grievance, due in the main to the opposition of France and Britain. Britain is too prone to follow the fortunes of France in these largo international questions, wherein her own interests are of paramount concern. The desire to be with France on each and every occasion seems to lie rather overdone of late, and Britain should review the international outlook from a different viewpoint. There are of course possible developments at Home which may have some bearing on the general situation, but regarding European polities within their own sphere it is difficult

to understand just why the pact at Locarno was not carried to its natural and obvious conclusion to finally rope in- Germany in such a way as to ensure world peace for the future.