The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1918. UNION OF THE ENGLISHSPEAKING DEMOCRACIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 August 1918, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1918. UNION OF THE ENGLISHSPEAKING DEMOCRACIES.

It lias taken the greatest war in the world's history to weld the British. Empire into a real, living united force, and never before have the advantages of that unity been so patent .as they are to-day. A tangible and practical unity has replaced the sentimental tie that' heretofore existed, and the Empire stands as one solid force championing the cause of democracy, and especially of the smaller nations, against autocracy and military despotism. Great as was this achievement, the war yet produced one far greater when it caused the United States, the largest democracy in the world, to join in the struggle for freedom, and to uphold the doctrine of right against that of might. The question naturally arises as to whether this union of Englishspeaking democracies, brought about by means of the war, should not be perpetuated by a lasting tie that will be to the advantage not only of tlie nations and peoples concerned, but become a durable pledge for the security of the world's peace. The more the question is studied, the clearer it be comes evident that such an entente is not only advisable, but that it would be a tower of strength in the maintenance of peace and goodwill, besides tending to improve the economic positio'n of the two nations. Language, his tory, literature, laws, customs and ideals of all the English-speaking peoples have a common foundation, and experience has taught the units that while their own political, domestic and economic concerns are secure from interference, there is yet a desire for that closer unity which means strength and stability. It is in times of danger that the ability to draw closer gives a feeling of security, confidence and courage. We are passing through that phase, and so are able to realise the value of a kinship _ that displays its practical side in standing shoulder to shoulder to meet and overcome a common foe. The full unity of the British Empire has become an established and unalterable fact. It is not surprising, therefore, that the extension of that union, so as to include the United States, is most desirable, and a natural result of the comradeship in arms in a common cause. When the treaty between Britain and United States was signed in 1906 an example was given to the world as to the right w.ay to overcome international difficulties by means j of arbitration, so that, except where national honor was involved, there would be no resort to armed force. In theory all international disputes are capable of being settled amicably, provided there is not—as in Germany's ease—a determination to enter upon war for the purpose of aggrandisement. Much has been said and written of late concerning the creation of a league of nations for preventing war, but it is abundantly evident that no such league would avail unless it possessed an overwhelming force wherewith it could enforce its decisions, if necessary. It is reasonable to contend that the existence ot a federation of the Englishspeaking countries would form a solid and reliable basis for the larger league that is advocated, lor it is the democracies that we must look to in the future to maintain the world's peace and safety, t he drawing together of the An-glo-Saxon nations would certainly have a very far-reaching effect especially hj, view of the ° solllti^ 0 post-war problems. Probably 01 a I the countries, the one which would teel most directly the advantages of closer union with Am. erica would be Canada, where, ac- . coi ing to a recent pronouncement by the Canadian SolicitorGeneral (the Hon. Hugh Guthrie), ' international boundary line i to fade from .the map when with tL Air StateS Cast in its lot 1 th the Alb-v, -aid became^,com-.

rades in arms on land, on sea and in the air. It may seem rather sordid to refer to the question of trade in connection with the far greater .and more vital matter of friendly unity in the interests of the world's peace, but this question has proved such a potent factor in Germany's domination scheme that it cannot be left out of Consideration. Moreover, it is bound to become a very acute problem after the war, so that it rightly enters into any scheme of closer union. It must be remembered also that the trade between Great Britain and the United States is the heaviest international trade between any two countries in the world, nor must it be forgotten that America is directly interested in fostering trade with Britain and the Allies by reason of the large amount of the loans made to them. While it is probable that the United States may not subscribe to, or take part in, an economic war with the Central Powers and their supporters, it will certainly be to the interest of America to discriminate in favor of her comrades in arms. It would seem desirable that the alliance that now exists should be still further cemented, and that it may grow into a durable bond of union, so that the great Englishspeaking democracies may stand together in kinship, in aims and m ideals; also in determination to uphold the rights of all nations to work out their destinies, free from oppression or interference—the guardians of the peace of the world.