The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1921. THE NEW SPIRIT.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1921. THE NEW SPIRIT.

The dawn of a new era and the birth of a new spirit that" makes militarism a thing of the past, ends rivalry in armaments, and enthrones international goodwill, understanding and eo-opera-tion as the dominant factors in the future of the world, form the subject of a theme that cannot fail to beneficially influence the people of all nations. It was this epoch-making event which should fol' all time earmark December 10, 1921. as the brightest day in history, for it witnessed the consummation whereby was produced a solemn treaty-pact between the four great Powers—the British, Empire, France, the United States •md Japan—of the first moment in the consolidation of world stability. The Washington correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph refers to the announcement of a complete agreement being arrived at in relation to the Pacific as having “sent round the world a thrill of joy and hope, confirming the general sense that a new spirit has been entered into in ordering the world’s affairs.” Not, only is the accomplishment a triumph of reason over force, but it is also an earnest of peace and good-will. Well might Mr. C. E. Hughes (the American spokesman), who has done so much towards the success of the'Conference, say : “I firmly believe, when this agreement takes effect, it will go further towards securing lasting peace than

anything which has been done before.” Four great Powers now stand four square to the world to maintain peace and promote goodwill. The elimination of naval and military rivalry in the Pacific is but one of the steps taken to make the world better than it was, though it may rightly be regarded as the foundation on which other agreements will rest, having a similar aim, namely, the peace, tranquility and material welfare of all the nations. The two main provisions of this FourPower Paet relate to the adjustment of all disputes in the Pacific region between any of the contracting parties, and, if any of their rights are threatened by the aggressive action of any other Power, the signatories will jointly consult as to the best means' to meet the exigencies of the situation. The chief point of difference between this Treaty and the League Covenant is that there is no provision for the use of force in carrying out the terms, although it is evident that in meeting aggressive action by another Power it may involve the use of such force. Apparently the American Senate considers that the absence' of an expressed obligation to render a.id by armed forces renders the terms of the treaty acceptable, as the ehanee of extreme action being necessary is exceedingly remote. By consenting to the basic principles for security the safety and integrity of China, as well as her neutrality, besides declaring that no Power is to enter into a separate agreement with China, an important initial step has been taken, and this is to.be followed! fcy the framing of effective meas- j

tires to meet other phases of the Chinese question. There should be no difficulty now in arriving at a complete understanding on all matters concerning the Far East. Matters concerning Yap and certain of the Pacific mandates have still to be finally settled as soon as the negotiations now proceeding are concluded. The way is now open for agreement on the limitation of armaments question, practically all the preliminaries having been satisfactorily settled, except as to France, it being hoped that the interview between the British and French Premiers will remove all obstacles to a Treaty on this matter. There will then remain only the question of the world’s economic condition, and the solution of this difficult problem is likely to severely tax the practical resourcefulness and statesmanship of the delegates. If the new spirit that has been created grows m strength, then so much the easier will the task be. In this matter America can be of even much greater use than in the other problems which have been so successfully faced by the Conference. The world not only needs peace, but prosperity in order to heal the wounds of the war. America holds the key that will unlock the door to that prosperity, and on her willingness to facilitate the process of stabilising the world’s economical position depends success or failure in the application of remedial measures. She has gone so far along the upward road to the betterment of world-wide conditions that she cannot well retrace her steps. That Britain will do her utmost, to co-operate is a certainty, so that the new spirit should operate equally favorable in this as in other problems. The achievements already to the credit of the Conference are of such surpassing credit that failure to deal effectively with other matters would seem to be unthinkable.