The Guardian And Evening star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1932 THE WORLD’S GUARDIAN.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 March 1932, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening star, with which is in corporated the West Coast Times MONDAY, MARCH 21, 1932 THE WORLD’S GUARDIAN.

A contributor to a recent issue of tne Nineteenth Century,” who bus had two«ty»fire years experience of travel in thirty-five countries, attempts to shwv us Britain through foreign eyes —her value to the world as well 'as her faults and mysterious processes. It would be interesting to refer at length here to his discussion of the inability of foreigners to understand j our conception of Empire and what ! is regarded as the insanity of atj tempting to give self-government to ' India, but attention must be conj fined in the main to the reasons why 1 foreigners are concerned about British prosperity and stability. Foreigners of every nationality, says this writer, “breathlessly awaited” the result of the general election, for “the world looks to Great Britain as a pillar or support in time of need, and naturally j wants that pillar to be strong.” | Britain’s special position in the world i lias imposed upon her certain responsibilities which no other country can j undertake in the same way, and most | foreign nations want her to lie strong | enough to use her special qualities of dear vision, honesty and justice for their benefit , and protection. “If Britain were to sink to the level of a second or third class Power, Europe would be in much the same position as a country without a police force; for although it is seldom admitted, Britain does in fact serve as the diplomatic policeman of Europe, and this service is universally appreciated.’’ This is tiie conclusion of a regular visitor to most of the European capitals, who has had exceptional opportunities of hearing the sort of foreign opinion that is not generally reported. He refers briefly to specific reasons why various Europeir nations wish Britain to remain strong and to have her as an honest, reliable and disinterested friend to consult, in time of trouble. They range from the Baltic to the- Mediterranean, from tiie Atlantic lo the Vistula. A writer in the “Nation” put the situation more forcible flic other day when lie said that the people of Europe were looking to Britain to save the world. Confronted with such reponsihilities. the average Englishman, feeling very much like Matthew Arnold's “weary Titan.” may protest Hint he was quiet o;w,mdi to do Lo nave himself without being called on |o save the world. A comment on this might be that if lie saves Idmscif lie vi ! ! do much to save the .world. Em- while it is not contended for a moment that Brit iin is the repositorv of all the virtues--that wily grave peril Ik'— if mav he claimed that she has certain qualit'es of isteadf Tstness, honed v, goodhumour, magnanimity and general idealism t'at make necessary her active parti iiation, a.s a strong stable Power, in I he we k of ini i :oi>3)l reconstruction and peace maintenance. If the above (analysis of foreign opinion is correct, there must be deep satisfaction ott the, Continent at the,

success with which she has handled her own pressing An American who went to England recently expecting to find “sadness and depression,” found* instead “an England emerged from a great crisis stronger than she had ever been before,” and England founded securely on “faith in herself, her character, and her traditions.” There is a lesson here for this tiny and distant nation of ours. If Britain can be cheerful and content, facing the facts nut never despairng going about her daily task quietly and as a matter of course, so can we.