Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 23 September 1933, Page 4

“The youth of Britain,” states Mr J. L. Garvin in the Observer, “never will bo asked again to embark by millions as foot- soldiers for Continental eonilict. That method for an island Power would lie strategically imbecile; happily, it is both economically and politically impossible. Were we involved in another life-and-death struggle we .should have to wage it in a very different way. The Air Force would have to be immensely and rapidly expanded. Any future Great War will be not mair.ly at first—or perhaps ever—between pedestrian armies, but- a war waged upon civilian populations, bombed regardless of age or sex with an exampled mercilessness of promiscuous massacre. Every town, every street-, every house, every occupant, will be exposed directly to fates worse than were risked on the last battlefields. An attitude leaning to the left at an angle of 45 degrees will meet no •appreciation. Bombs and poison-gas cannot distinguish between opinions. Without more powerful, foresighted. (ameliorative efforts to preserve the peace, vast catastrophes will return

upon civilisation. This may come in the long run. Britain may bo involved through no culpability of her own ,-and in spite of the utmost efforts for settlement. Most Socialists and Liberals and a- good many Unionists seems to imagine that the cause of peace is safer than it ever was before. They never were more deluded in their lives. The whole of the real work is yet to do. We are approaching several very difficult and dangerous years in foreign policy. Of that there seems no reasonable doubt. As a result of that ordeal peace may be saved and stabilised for a long period; but to achieve so much there will be required something above all yet .attempted—a supremo exertion of statesmanship, .oresentive constructive and reconciling. There will have to be a new and simplified system of conferences, regularly including the United States, to examine frankly potential causes of war in all parts of the world and to apply means of remodv before the outbreak of passion in arms.”