The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1922. SAVING THE SITUATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 April 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, APRIL 28, 1922. SAVING THE SITUATION.

Whether or not the people of New Zealand realise that they are directly and indirectly interested in the restoration of a “ working concert” in Europe, there can be no question as to the gravity of the situation that arose at the Genoa Conference consequent on the disclosure of the Russo-German agreement. “Our fate,” states Mr. Garvin, “hung upon a hair, but fortunately the skies cleared.” The assertion is not one of those ornamental phrases generally used for producing a sensational effect. Amongst the best-in-formed and most intelligent thinkers who occupy a prominent position in British journalistic circles, Mr. J. L. Garvin, editor of the Observer, is easily in the foremost rank, and what he says is always worthy of the utmost consideration. No one can read his convincing tribute to the British Premier’s “dexterity in dragging the Conference towards success” without being impressed with the solidity and cogency of the arguments which Mr. Garvin adduced. Such a well-merited testimony comes like a fresh mountain breeze that sweeps away the noxious and stagnant atmosphere of foul calumny arising from the' festering swamps of party polities. There is almost a triumphant ring in Mr. Garvin’s clarion outburst :

“Mr. Lloyd George is, he was the blackest moments of the war, indomitable and formidable, and his dexterity is dragging the Conference towards success. Yle believes it wwl achieve big purposes, and that it wni form the basis of siibsequent disarmament on which a new Europe will be based. He believes that continuous work onwards will be carried out towards this end by a strengthened and extended League of Nations that the world’s life depends on this, the alternative thereto being the fall of European civilisation.”

In this way did Mr. Garvin answer the query: ‘ ‘ Could Mr. Lloyd George save Germany from herself? It is an answer that should implant well-grounded hopes in the hearts of all the thinking people of the civilised nations. That the situation was intensely critical is beyond dispute, and that it was saved by Britain’s foremost statesman is clear. Few there are who completely realise the farreaching nature of this salvation. What it meant so far as the British Premier is concerned can be judged from Mr. Garvin’s remark that “Mr. Lloyd George risked the Entente’s continuance and his own political existence in order to restore a working concert in Europe.” It was a risk that only a courageous and inspired general, who was sure of his tactical and strategical • skill, could or would take; and it was the apotheosis of patriotism in its fullest meaning—that large-hearted catholicity which ignores petty considerations and concentrates on world-wide upliftment. There may, and probably will, be other

anxious moments during the session of the Conference, but the way in which the most acute situation was saved augurs well for its ultimate success. What that success means can only be partially envisaged at the present time, but it embraces the imperative inauguration of peace and concord, the restoration of sound economic conditions, the elimination of the barriers to progress and prosperity, and laying the foundations of mutual help and peace among nations suffering from turmoil and chaos, saving European civilisation from the terrible fate with which it was threatened. Throughout the Empire there should be a feeiing of deep thankfulness that wise counsel and determined effort scored a notable victory, and sincere hope that the fruits of that victory will be in every way worthy of Britain’s high standing in the world’s affairs.