The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1921. AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 December 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1921. AN IMPROVED OUTLOOK.

As the present year draws to a elose it is pleasing to note that indications point to a distinct advance being made in the settlement of outstanding national and International problems. At no time since the war has the outlook for the world's betterment and security been so bright with promise as at the present moment, even the economic position giving signs of a move in the right direction. Among the more acute problems that faced the nations, several have been made the subject not only of careful investigation, but also of patient and wisely directed deliberations between those chiefly concerned in order, if possible, to reach a satisfactory settlement. If complete success has not actually been achieved it is within sight, thus encouraging further steps to attain the desired ends, and justifying the extension of the process to other problems awaiting solution. From an Empire point of view the Irish question naturally is of the first importance, so that the decision of the Sinn Fein Parliament relative to the terms arranged by its delegates is awaited with exceptional interest. There appears to be a well-founded impression that the Dail Firearm will confirm the terms by a sweeping majority despite the adverse attitude of the extremists. Possibly it was hopeless to expect absolute unanimity, much as that would have been preferred to the creation of a rift in Sinn Fein ranks. The most that can be expected under the circumstances is that the treaty will be given a fair trial and that Time, the healer of all wounds, will gradually compose whatever differences exist and create a happy, prosperous and contented nation, in harmony with the other units of the Empire. In international affairs the Washington Conference has made great strides in the direction of unravelling tangles that bid fair to grow into serious troubles. The latest phase of the work of the Conference appears to justify the anticipation of a permanent league between France, Britain, Japan, America and Italy to preserve the world’s peace. Nominally the treaty in view is for the settlement of Pacific and Far East matters, as well as the question of limitation of armaments. A firm pact entered into by these nations for the preservation of peace would certainly satisfy all requirements and go far to solve the economic problem that is menacing all countries. China does not yet appear to have fully grasped the potentialities of the Powers to safeguard her integrity. She has much to learn i in this respect, and not a little to unlearn before she can realise I that the trend of events is in her £ayor, so that spasmodic as-

sertiveness may be more attributed to her past experience than to fear of the future, for there is no insuperable difficulty to a fair and just settlement of her problems. With Regard to Germany, there are signs of a more wholesome change of attitude in relation to the discharge of her liabilities and the desirability of acting in good faith towards her late enemies. France is also becoming more reasonable, and it is probable that after the British and French Premiers have conferred on the economic conditions of the world that all doubts and fears will be removed, and that we shall have heard the last of those irritating and useless tirades against Britain that have been far too frequent of late in France. Even the outlook as regards Russia appears to have taken a more favorable turn. The revelations made recently by Sir Philip Gibbs as state of affairs in Russia may be accepted as accurately representing the plight of that unfortunately afflicted country, the rulers g! which seem at last coming to a more sane state of mind. Bolshevism, says Sir Philip, is dead. Lenin has confessed it has proved a. failure and has cursed its folly. “Byabsolute control Russia can be brought back to the family of nations, and it is worth while.” That is certainly welcome news, and after the Washington Conference has brought its present programme to i satisfactory conclusion, its next effort might well be directed to-

yards rehabilitating Russia. Meanwhile the latest review of British industrial and financial affairs has an encouraging tone, partly due to buoyant hopes of the success of the Washington Conference. Trade is improving, industry reviving and money easier. The fact is there exists greater confidence all round, and the feeling of uncertainty is\ receding before the brighter prospects that have arisen of late, although the delicacy of the financial situation still restricts enterprise. We must expect a sound recovery to be slow in its operation. Patience, confidence’ and the exercise of wise economy will eventual!v restore stability.