Spirit of the Press THE SEARCH FOR PEACE.

Northland Age, Volume 6, Issue 34, 14 May 1937, Page 9

Spirit of the Press THE SEARCH FOR PEACE.

“If there has been any moment, save only in the World War period, when as many different and important official contacts between Great Britain and the United States have been opened up as at present, it has escaped the attention of the histoiians. The extraordinary diversity of channels that have lately been established between Washington and London is of the greatest significance for the peace of the world. “The background of the present entente—for entente it almost is—between Britain and the United States, appears in the role both countries are now playing. Britain is the cornerstone of stability in troubled Europe. The United States is spokesman for democracy in the western world, and President Roosevelt in his South Ameiican speeches made himself the advocate of democracy as against dictatorship on the world scene. A diplomatic movement of democracies is under way.”—Christian Science Monitor.

ITALY CHANGES ITS MOOD “Italy wants peace. For, although the Italian is ready to rejoice in his strength, he is, if you penetrate deeply enough, not unaware of his weakness. Financially and economically, Italy is not well off. True, the financial collapse which was predicted last year for Italy occurred, instead, in France. Italy prudently readjusted the lira, after France had readjusted the franc, anc; so lost no prestige. Incidentally, the monetary operation enabled it to make good the losses of “sanctions” and to pay for the war. “I am convinced that Mussolini is followed wholehe irtedly by all but an infinitesimal number of Italians. Liberals of the old school may dislike various restrictions, but many believe them to be necessary, and point to the encroachment of the state on individual liberties even in some democratic countries. They feel that Italy is in process of becoming a great nation, and that sacrifices, in the shape of stern discipline and rigid order, are necessary. “Moreover, Europe lives under the danger of war. Italy faces it, and confidence comes from its preparedness. When Mussolini declares that Italy offers an olive branch springing from the forest of 8,000,000 bayonets

the Anglo-Saxon smiles at the extravagant rhetoric. But Signor Mussolini means much the same thing as Mr. Anthony Eden when the British statesman asks for military forces to defend peace. With their conquest of Ethiopia behind them, all Italians whom I have met want peace, to consolidate the new empire.” Lesley Huddleston, Christian Science Monitor.

Too Risky. ' r> he hotel was burning and the flames approached nearer and nearer to the guest marooned on the window ledge on the sixth floor. Below, firemen held a large sheet for him to jump into, but their shouts and signals were in vain. Finally, one managed to make himself heard just as the walls were on the point of falling. “Jump;” he shouted. “Why don’t you jump ? ” “Not till you put that sheet down on the ground,” the victim bellowed back, I’m afraid you fellows will drop it !” I