The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 4. 192?. THE CAUSE OF PEACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 May 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, MAY 4. 192?. THE CAUSE OF PEACE.

It now seems that a strong reaction is taking place at Home in favour of the American proposals for a general agreement between the Powers to ‘‘outlaw” war. At first Britain apparently held the same view as France, that while a bilateral treaty between any two Powers to dispense with war is practicable, the extension of such an agreement to include several other

Powers would in many ways conflict with commitments already undertaken, and might encroach unduly upon the sphere of the League of Nations. But, judging by the comments of the “Daily Telegraph” and the “Times” upon the present .situation, a northern paper concludes that the British Government is now inclined to Ignore the more important objections raised by France and to accept the American scheme in its revised form. The British criticism of France’s attitude applies chielly to her insistence on the necessity for maintaining all the safeguards that she lias already secured against any possible attempt on the part of Germany, or any other Power, to upset the peace settlement. This is no doubt a perfectly natural and reasonable attitude. The “Daily Telegraph” comments rather censoriously on France's “ineradicable distrust” of Germany, and appears to sympathise with German resentment at French npprehonsivencss. But surely it is rather early in the day for France to feel supreme confidence in Germany’s peaceful and amicable intentions. Considering all that has happened since 191-1 we need hardly bo surprised that Franco should take this opportunity to remind the Powers that they have assumed certain definite obligations in regard to the Rhineland and the Fran-co-German frontier which must not be superseded by some other form of compact or agreement dictated by the United States. But while the leading English journals are inclined to expostulate with Franco on her irrcconci'a.ble altitude, they are apparently disposed to go a very long way for tho pur]K)se of conciliating and placating the Americans. The “Times” urges that Britain should not miss this opportunity for promoting the great cause of world peace, awl it now insists, contrary to the opinions originally expressed, that there is nothing in the proposed agreement that would weaken the Locarno Pad or infringe open tile Covenant of the League. This change of attitude on the part of the leaders of public opinion at Home strikes the Auckland Star as rather startling and ominiou*. ft suggests that Britain is inclined to renew the dubious policy of sacrificing too many other important considerations to secure the goodwill of the United States.