The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1930.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 14, 1930.

high hopes. High hopes are being expressed by some of the international delegates with respect t 0 the Xaval Conference in London which will sit now in less than a week. The various Powers have their delegations • organised in gieat array, and the notabilities are now on route to the scene for action, i his epGch-making conference—as it is hoped it will he—is to be 1 opened by King George in person, so that the fullest Imperial authority and blessing will be given to the- conclave. It is manifest, however, that all cannot he plain sailing. The cabled news in advance has indicated the cross views of some of the Powers in relation to the demands of each other. Fortunately the preliminary tasks between the nations involved must have gene a long wav to clear the atmosphere, and there should be less con trove rsv about details. The viewpoint of the different Powers should be well understood in advance, and the arguments should be more concrete than defusive. The visit of Mr Ramsey MacDonald to America, was certainly a step in the right direction, and the heart to heart talks in camera have been evidently the sour'C which imrM'evsod the delegates from the United States with the high hopes in which they set out. Even on the naval side, Admiral Pratt of the States has said: “There are no technical difficulties in the way of the conference. We should sail home with an agreement in two months.” This optimism is tother un-

I usual, and its prevalence gives hope of tiie happiest issue resulting. There is no douot the Anglo-American viewpoints are clearer than they ever have oee-n, and the mutual understanding letween two such high Powers must e a factor towards a satisfactory outline. Japan, too, informed of the Angio-American viewpoint, has been not unfavourable, so that in advance there is a good deal of useful spade work accomplished, tin the other hand, Franco and Italy do not see eye to eye. France has made out a strong case for herself, a case which also emphasised the British viewpoint, no doubt with the object of attracting Britain to support the French attitude Oil the other hand, we should say, if the situation between France and Italy alone, governs the general outcome, surely a way out will be found to end happily. The five Powers are well enough informed ~by. now of the international feelings, and that appears to he distinctly against more war. Tire nations professing’ to lead the world should be amo to find a way to settje all their differences without the possible resort to arms. The day of international jealousies should be past, and in 1 the security of peace, steps leading up to a common understanding to safeguard that degree of peace, should not lie too difficult to take. 'Mutual confidence and esteem require to go hand in hand'. . These factors were engendered by the talks between Hr Hoover and Mr MacDonald, and a plain understanding between all the statesmen would be equally valuable. The subject generally may be one for partisan politicians, but nowadays the genuine politician has had enough of war, but will be ready to enjoy peace on reasonable terms. There must be an element of bargaining. Each may. not obtain all that is desired, but by compromise and adjustment in the right spirit all should be possible. The 'Conicpence eventuates under very favourable auspices. The preliminaries leading up to the great meeting have been welltimed, mid are most promising. Altogether as Mr Stimsdn, Secretary of State for the United States, has said: ‘Me received everywhere expressions of goodwill and hopefulness for our success. We start off in high hopes of being able to accomplish successful results by our mission.”