MORE HOPEFUL

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 662, 14 October 1933, Page 4

MORE HOPEFUL

In spite of the outbiiTsts of international spitefulness which greeted the preliminary efforts of the British Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MaeDonald, to avert the total collapse of the Disarmament Conference last week, cables during the present week, after a long period of discouraging bickering and inactivity, strike a much more hopeful note and indicate that Mr. MacDonald's diplomacy has made a definite contribution toward better understanding in Europe. The situation is still critical, and the cause of the Disarmament Conference still appears forlorn, but for all that it appears to have a slightly better chance of survival than was the case a fortnight ago when a deadlock had been reached. When Mr. MaeDonald first introduced the British disarmament plan he was literally described by the French press as a "go-between in the efforts of Germany and Italy to blackmail France." This is rather typical of the hysteria to which French journalism is addicted, but in spite of the dark predictions of the Gallic seers and the condemnation of the plan, it has persisted during a very hazarduous seven months until to-day Britain, Italy and France appear to be in accord, with Germany still worrying her bone and the United Stated mildly, but rather less aloofly interested. The following London message published yesterday conveys a much more hopeful impression: According to the London Morning Post's correspondent, "Now or never" is the dominant tone in Geneva disarmament circles, all delegations being agreed .that the most critical phase of the conference has beeli reached. The British and American representatives in particular, he says, | emphasise the absolute necessity for j arriving at a convention signed by all j participating States. It is apparent from the tone j of the diseussions and the new j determination to bring the con- j ference to some definite conclu- ; sion, that if Mr. MaeDonald has ; played the part of a go-between I he has done it to good effect and j not in the intriguing spirit that was implied by the French press. j It is encouraging to find that the j United States is taking a more I active interest in the. matter and ; while Germany 's virtual demand : for re-armament complicates the situation and presents a difficult obstacle, it can be largely overcome by a united front among the other Powers. Italy has still a sneaking fondness for Germany and while not actively allying herself with the German demands, she has shown herself sympathetically inclined toward them. It is not surprising, of conrse, that Signor Mnssolini, who to all intents and purposes is Italy, should endeavonr to encourage his' rather turbulent disciple, Herr Hitler. It is, in one , respect, a defensive alliance of Fascism, althongh the Italian Dictator, in the wider wisdom which the years have brought him, is probably too shrewd a student of economic politics to endanger his relations with the other world Powers by too openly espousing the German cause. Until lately, France's traditional uneasiness and suspicion of her neighbours has also proved a complication but in spite of the outbursts of sections of the press, there are indications that France is in a much more amenable frame of mihd than she has been for some time past. In the September number of the Contemporary Review, Mr. Sisley Hnddleston, who is a recognised observer in international politics, opens an article thus : In a heaving and plunging world France is comparatively unperturbed.

1 She loo'ks on the scene of struggle, and-is thankful for such adyantages /as she enjoys.' In her present mood they appear to be- considerable. France has almost forgotten to send up the customary cry for security. .It may be that professions of misgiving were always more tactieal than real. At this time, despite the general 'menace, France is tranquil and even proud. There is no doubt that j France's restiveness and her critical examination of the Fonr Power Pact have resulted in its improvement ; her attitude has had the same corrective effect j ' as that of an able and active op- 1 position in Parliamentary politics. The fact that France appears to be now more settled in her outlook and that she is pre--pared to co-operate with the other Powers in laying down a definite disarmament policy is a most encouraging sign. If Great Britain, the United States, France and Italy present a united front to Germany,. even Herr Hitler may find it advisable to be reasonable. As Mr. Stanley Baldwin has pointed out, an under- ( standing on disarmament is essential if world sanity is to be preserved and Armaggedon averted.