The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1921. COMBINING FOR PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1921. COMBINING FOR PEACE.

It was a somewhat remarkable coincidence that on Thursday last there should have been made two speeches-—one in London and the other in New York—-having an important bearing on international peace. Separate and jointly these two utterances afford much ground for hope that peace will be maintained, not because the. interchange of views at the Washington Conference has materially smoothed the way to removing the menace of war; not by reason of the existence of the League of Nations to adjust disputes, but on account of the steps at the Washington Conference having marked “a great and notable stride forward in the moral progress of mankind.” In his remarks at the-United Service Club, Lord Curzon (Foreign Secretary) said if France adopted an isolated individual policy of her own she would, in the long run, injure Germany, and would fail to protect herself. M. Briand (French Premier), in his valedictory speech prior to embarking at New York on his return home, said: “France should never fear moral isolation. France has an army ready to serve the world by protecting it against disorder and anarchy in whatever form they may present themselves.” Taken in the light of Lord Curzon’s subsequent. remarks, there is a striking agreement in these two statements. “France’s real sense of protection,” asserted Lord Curzon, “arose not from her soldiers’ value, great as that was, not even from the inexhaustible spirit of her people, or the justice of her cause. It arose from the fact that the conscience, and the physical forces of the world, including the Great Powers of Europe and America, would not tolerate the reappearance, in the heart of Europe, of a great and dangerous Power, rattling swords in their scabbards and becoming a menace to the world.” If these views are examined, it will be seen that the future peace of the world depends as much on the moral progress of the nations as on the determination of the Great Powers to unite in a common agreement to suppress mili# tarism. It is this backing that can alone give moral progress full scope of action. Germany is still regarded as the only possible menace, and it is interesting to note that while Lord Curzon considers “we have only to convert Germany into a peaceful member of the European international court,” M. Briand, while emphasising that there exists in feeling of hatred in French hearts towards Germany, yet he recognises that the one and only condition under which Germany’ can fulfil her obligations, is for the old Germany, which was a nation of prey, to disappear, leaving room for a Germany of peace and liberty, recognising the rights of other peoples. What are the prospects of such a change taking place? None too dependable to M. Briand’s mind, for he envisages the old Germany still in existence and lying in wait; therefore France must be prepared, because if “she weakened herself there would be an end to the peace of the world.” He may truthfully and justly claim that Germany has nothing to fear from France,'and it certainly is to the interest of Germany to concentrate on the arts of peace. Freed from the immense burden entailed by militarism, and devoting all their energies to production, the German people would soon discharge their reparations obligations and enter upon an era of prosperity and happiness. Ah they have to do is to play their part in the right spirit, uproot all idea of retaliation, and become converts to the policy of peace. “Only by all nations acting on a common policy-can we re-establish peace in Europe,’ said Lord Curzon, and the Washington Conference is doing good service in the direction of that united action materialising. M. Briand’s appeal

to German-Americans to endeavor to convince Germany to live at peace with France and the other nations was timely and statesmanlike, for a. converted Germany would relieve the world of a menace that should no longer exist. A forward move has been made on the road to peace. France is assured of support, if needed, and it is for Germany to utilise the opportunity now offered. She has practically arrived at the parting of the ways, and by taking the right road will again become great as a commercial and industrial power. By so doing she will profit by her experience and the world will breathe freely and have time to devote to the uplifting of humanity. At the same time France should give heed to the note of warning sounded by Lord Curzon, otherwise all the good work and intentions of the other Powers may he swept away in a moment.