The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1929. BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, MARCH 14, 1929. BRITAIN’S FOREIGN POLICY

I hk British elections which fall-about June of this year will be the occasion ior presenting many issues to the electors for determination. One special aspect will be the foreign policy which Great Britain will espouse. The Conservatives now in power at Home, have been considered generally as a “safe” party where foreign negotiations were involved. At the coming elections, the Government will be challenged specially by the Labour Party. Air .Ramsay MacDonald, the very capable leader in many respects of the Party, has indicated that he will challenge the foreign policy of the Goernment, and is predicting a victory. His special point is a “new diplomacy” which will consider the whole European situation, and relieve Britain of its sub-ordination to trance. ‘‘The whole European situation” is a very complex issue, and we take it Mr Ramsay MacDonald will be a very clever man indeed if lie can devse and enforce a diplomacy which will satisfy all Europe. The international traits of s one of the Eastern countries are difficult for the Westerner to fathom and understand. Then, there is the complexity of the various forms of Government involved. Europe has many dictators nowadays, and governments have not the stability they once had. There are differed degrees of .nonarcliie.s, and if Mr MacDonald were to attempt to measure the stability of some monarchies with those of his own country, lie would be very far out. “The new diplomacy” would be interesting to watch which is to court and win all the divergent forms of administration within the courts of Europe. '1 hat is a major aspect of the situation which suggests that a foreign policy is not to he moulded as one would wish, but as tilings are. As regards the relations between Britain and France, we have to recall that the diplomacy of the late King Edward which gave the Entente Cordiale,. was a very helpful understanding for Europe. Looking hack to the pre-war days, we must not forget the arrogance and ambitions of the Kaiser, and what he aimed at Nor must we overlook the fact how nearly he succeeded. It was a fortunate thing at the outset of the war that France and Russia were in close alliance, for thereby Germany had the frontiers to attend to. But even that task was not beyond the warlike nation, and Germany might easily have had a victory oil both Hanks in quick time were it not that Britain, by her treaty obligations with Belgium was drawn into the fray. The diplomacy which had created that effect honied in ’the end to save Europe from the domination of Germany. And if Great Britain had not been an actor in that conflict, hut jiad remained passive, what would have been the alter effect when Germany had defeat, ed Russia and France, and incidentally had established her forces on the English Channel? Great Britain would have had to meet a more desperate encounter than was even her lot in the Great War. So we may realise that the foreign policy of the Motherland is not a thing lightly to be considered, but is something very serious for the head to conceive and the hand to execute. Nowadays a good deal is laid bare publicly of the international negotiations, and in those overtures >t would appear the present responsible party in power lias shown wisdom and understanding in humming foreign alfairs. Mr MacDonald should reveal in some detail what he means by “a new diplomacy” He should make it clear what he would have done at Lo ear no. or with the Kellogg Pact, or in regard to the limitation of armaments, and in fact with the League nt Nations. And while he is illuminating the general position he should make "fc clear what he is going to do about the Hilier powerful nations standing < utside. and not conforming to the cole he would lay down for Britain. T 1 at is the real test of the foreign situa-

tion, and until the general positim regarding the other natinis is made clear and there is the prosnx-t of ihe policy being adhered to Britain’s best diplomacy is to be prepared and to maintain those friendships which have stood the test of trial, and in that test not been found wanting, for it is the friend in need who is the friend indeed.