THE MAKING OF PEACE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1929, Page 3

THE MAKING OF PEACE

TURNING A DREAM INTO REALITY.

Rf.NI.3AY MacDONALD

Economic powers arc threatening political powers, and withal menacing ihc liberty ut the subject. ’J lie machine gradually becomes that mythological monster that feeds on the iiie-biood ol human beings. The lormiclable growth of economic powers, besides causing internal dislocations, may lead to an even more horrible clash of antagonistic forces.

The Labour party would oppose any action that would aim at changing the conditions created by the peace treaties by armed force We shall do- everything in our power so that the obligations imposed by these peace trentes be fulfilled With regard to the minority problem we realise that the frontiers can never be so perfectly drawn as to ensure an absolutely dear-cut division between two nationalities. Therefore wo shall not omit to remind nations of their obligations to their racial minorities. In the safeguarding of the world peace we expect as much to he done by the League of Nations. This is the reason wliv wo pursue, parallel to our peace policy, an international economic and industrial policy as well. The Kellogg Reacts Pact demonstrated a tremendous susp forward, but til. > pact is to a certain extent only a castle in the air beneath which we shall have to build some strong foundations. The building of these foundations will he the task ol the League of Nations. I sincere.y hope that tl c fulfilment of this mission is not far removed from our times. Only it Great Britain, France and Germany work hand in hand for future peace within the League of Nations will Europe’s peace he safe. Should the United States join these nations then war would become an impossibility all over the word.

PAUL PAiNLE-VE. When we speak about world peace we nave as a rule, the peace of Kuio--pe in mind. Not oniy* because we are u.osely interested in European affairs but because the la e war wrought mere Uio greatest havoc, lue peace oi Europe rests on two pillars. One is L-lie relationship bctwen Trance and Germany, and the other the situation in tile Bahians. The most important peace factor in Europe is that the two greatest nations who fought against each other should find a basis lor agree ment, and that they should trust each other. J,t vhese two great matiodis will eliminate the causes of friction—which goal already looms on the horizon—then the possibility of armed conflict in Europe should he removed. The League of Nations is gathering strength day by day, and very soon it wi.l be able to prevent through its own effort the outbreak of war. It-is of great importance that before disarmament is achieved nations should regard with confidence the activities of the League of -Nations, because this attitude is a preliminary condition of disarmament. It is not true that Franco in increasing her military forces, and that she lias more men servng under her colours than heore the war. On the contrary in 1939 the number of soldiers serving in the French army Will be .smaller by 130,009 than 1913. Of course, complete disarmament is impossible under present international conditions. Uj-nctM-iiing the pfianned fortifications on the French frontiers, they are mere.y of a defensive character.

Ihe Kellogg Pact is a considerable achievement in the general striving towards international agreement, ami ilie day is quite near when armed conflict in Europe will be considered as much an impossibility as the clash of forces between the component parts of the United States of America. LEON BLUM, LEADER OF FRENCH SOCIAL 1 STS. Nations have hitherto endeavoured to find security in armaments, but it has been a hopeless quest. No matter how such aimaments are increased they will never provide perfect security for a nation. History supplies the proof that armaments undertaken by individual nations, even if sincerely employed lor soif-detenee, invariably led to wars.

'the peace of Europe can only be safeguarded if that mentality which saw in armaments a means of national defence will give way to a universal desire for international disarmament. First of all, mutual trust between nations is required. This trust will only ne possible when an-international jurisprudence is established that "will involve compulsory arbitration. General disarmament, combined with compulsory arbitration, are the only means that will supply lasting peace. As long as one can even discuss wains a possibility peace will remain Tar removed from realisation.

henry de .touvenel. Tt is not' enough to give expression to one’s peaceful wishes as is the custom of politicians. This will never bring about that much desired state when war will be considered an obsolete weapon of security. We must establish the technique of peace as well.

Every war in history was followed by a wave oi p.iciikSt propaganda. it is only natural that when nations have waded through carriage and seen the wholesale destruction of human values for victors and vanquished alike—they should want to see some protection established to guard them against tuc rcpetii.li/u of such cataclysms. Gut in spite of these endeavours towards peace, war recurred again and again m the history of mankind. That is why the inauguration of a tecii.nque oi peace is imperative. the tasK of organising peace can only be entrusted to one international uouy, the League of Nations. -Every international pact is only so far valuable as it is protected by the League oT Nations. The Kellogg Pact which uas outlawed war is only an initial step in tile iii.cci.ion of peace. Now „.a, war is outlawed we should bring peace within the law. First an intor.liui.mii law equally affecting every nation will have to lie passed, and then arbitration should be made compulsory and furthermore, an international podv-e f-.rce should he created to uphold* flic authority of this intertuiLfonat

Lisarnminent ought to begin with llie abolition ui' military aviation, all army aeroplanes to ho withdrawn Irani .-.ervicu, because tiii.s powerful Weapon oii.s.itutcs a danger to iindolcnded Rios, t..' innocent women anil chihlon. It is characteristic of onr times that when disarmament is in the forefront of discussion mist nations arc building warships and aeroplanes which serve mainly for attack, and preparations for a chemical war arc being carried forward apace.

It is unavoidably necessary that France should commit herself on beliall of compulsory arbitration, and she should attempt to win over to this cause all the other nations. It is advisable that a step towards the settlement of these outstanding problems should be made very soon—the sooner the oet'er —because if disarmament is not carried out within a short period, .I'crmany will begin to arm hcrsolland what will happen then? FRANCESCO XITTT. I cannot rule out the possibility oi war. While politicians render lip,service to the cause of peace, nations are carrying out extensive programme? of armament. The clash of powerful economic forces may lead, as in the past, to armed conflict. War has always been the result of distrust, desire of conquest and of revenue or retaliation. The elimination of tlios destructive forces will determine the course* of peace. Nations do not hate each other. Their hate is only nr* ifleially stimulated l>y the nationalistic Press, and by those whose interests lie in war. T fear war is foreshadowed l>v that increase in armaments that is taking place all over the wm-ld. What is Hie good of talking of pence when the number of soldiers in Europe exceeds pre-war figures by a million? And this is the

present situation, even when certain nations—Cicrmany, Austria, Hungary and Enlgarin —are disarmed. .Military budgets in Europe amount ,o the stupendous sum of two billion pounds sterling! Wo must view with deep apprehension the present day danger of war which looms as threateningly on the horizon as in 1914. Contributory causes are the many un.,list provisions embodied in the peace treaties which will have to lie remedied. The more civilised a nation becomes, the less it will be willing to tolerate with resignation burdens that are the outcome of injustice. 'I lie grievances of minorities will have to he considered sympathetically, to eliminate this potential cause of international friction. AYc must strengthmi the authority of the League of Nations, and wold European nations into one economic union which would imply political co-operation. A\ itliouf these factors, neither economic prosperity nor lasting peace will he possible. NIKOLATE'VITCH PAVEL MILIUKOV. When we speak of the danger of

war, Russia is uppermost in my mind. A conflagration is highly possible in that quarter. Should internal disorders break out in Russia it can bo expected that some neighbouring nation will consider that the propitious moment for intervention in Russian affairs lias arrived. Such a step might easily, involve Other, nations, should such an event occuir, even though Russians who are irreconcilably antagonistic to the Soviet regime in Russia would rush to the aid of ihe'ir country threatened by foreign invasion. All Russians in such a contingency would show a united front. Russia should be left to herself to pass tlirough a natural course of evolution. Apart from this consideration I am an optimist; I believe in the effectiveness of the League of Nations, to the support of which another pillar has been added in the form of the Kellogg Peace Pact. Russia—the Russia of the future—in accordance with the immutable laws of progress, will evolve into a democratic republic, and as such will be a staunch supporter of peace and civilisation,