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Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1931, Page 4

There is no doubt, the world unsettlement at present is due to me difficulties, doubts and uncertainties arising out of the aftermath of the war. Though this is realised very generally, the international relations are at . such cross'purposes that the tangle seems to grow worse confounded. While the United States is prepared to extend the Hoover Moratorium in respect to war debts and reparations, France, which is a pivotal factor in' the world situation, is not so disposed. On top of this contra wise position, we have Germany pleacimg bankruptcy and some of the smaller nations actually bankrupt. There is a feeling growing in some quarters that Germany lias not played the game. Germany has gone to complacent countries and borrowed to pay reparations, and now. pleads, inability to meet the loans also. Germany is also charged with building up branches of home firms in other countries, and the latter have outshipped the former, which it is alleged cannot- meet the home taxation. Germany’s bona ficles must needs .be cleared up while over all there is the. internal situation said to he bordering on revolution. I lie whole situation is therefore very complex, and if the countries are not- acting in good faith me to the other, the position grows more confounded, and the hopes of disarmament fade away. Without mutual trust, one country against another will require to hold the force to impress its demands, and that state of affairs means a very un-

settled world, for might is to be right, and warlike preparations will be in the air always. The difficulty of a peaceable settlement of international disputes is- well emphasised in Manchuria now, when Japan and China apparently can settle their differences only by war—and the establishment by power of the right to occupy the territory. Europe, it is possible to conceive, might easily drift into a dike state again, for there is mutual distrust all round. Much depends on the attitude of France as to what will he done in the immediate future, but the present drift at this season of the year, is a serious menace to international tranquility in Europe.