The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1922. THE SHRINE OF PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1922, Page 4

The Daily News. WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, 1922. THE SHRINE OF PEACE.

I It was a happy conception of ideas and phraseology in which Mr. ■ Lloyd George referred to the work of the Geuoa Conference when addressing journalists on the eve of his return to Britain. There is a peculiar attractiveness in the expression “a shrine of peace” that removes it from the » usual glib and banal utterances on the subject, raising it to a loftier plane and thereby appealing to the most sacred feelings of mankind, far above the arena of controversy, and serving as an ‘‘inspiring landmark on the pathway towards universal peace.” What was accomplished at the Genoa Conference? It is not possible to set down exactly how much was achieved; nor how far the delegates travelled in the direction which the idea of those who initiated it desired. This much, however, we can be thankful for, that the Conference “laid the foundations and erected the pillars of universal peace. ” Those who are inclined to take a pessimistic view of the results of the Conference will do well to take stock of the whole position when in plenary session, note the many nationalities represented, allow for the. divergency of views and interests of the delegates, and then comprehend the fact that all these men, in their individual, as well as in their representative character, were taking part in a common effort, not only to restore economical conditions in Europe, but also to base that rehabilitation on the sure foundation of permanent peace. Judged from that standpoint, there can be no gainsaying that the shrine they started to build is ample testimony of the prevalence among the nations of an earnest desire to be at peace so that they may work out their destiny under favorable auspices. I Another cause for satisfaction is that all the nations represented at the Conference accepted the non-aggression pact, and, though it is only provisional, yet, as Mr. Lloyd George aptly demonstrated, ithat; once established, the nations would not want to go back, the psychological effect being electrical. The experience of the Russian i delegate at the Conference should ! suffice to convince him, and I through him the Soviet rulers, that the nations are earnest and sincere in their desire to see Russia freed from her present dire straits more become a| peaceful, contented and prosperous country. Between the closing of the proceedings at Genoa and their resumption at The Hague, or elsewhere, the Soviet rulers will have time and opportunity to get rid of their frothy and fretful attitude, besides initiating a movement for a Constitution and government that will be worthy of a country so great and powerful as Russia has been in the past. M. Tehitcberin boasts that the Russians possess the only Government in the world based on labor organisation, but if the condition of that country is any criterion of Labor administrative genius, the verdiet of history will certainly be that it is genius of a demented rather than a sane kind, and the sooner a stable Government that will represent all classes, instead of merely one, is established, the earlier will arrive those better times and conditions which Russia i so urgently needs. The closing |

scene of the Conference cannot be passed over without reference to the remarks made by delegate, Dr. RathAnau. In stressing the principles, without which he considered world peace could not be restored, he emphasised with commendable directness, firstly, that restoration of trade could only be brought about by paying national debts in goods and not in gold; secondly, that confidence would not be restored until true peace was established and demobilisation carried out in a way that would not only establish confidence, but would be an earnest of peace and goodwill. In insisting that the nations must first be in a position to balance their Budgets, Dr. Rathenau took up a strong position. Possibly he had in mind his country’s colossal debt for reparations. If so, it is for his Government to evolve a satisfactory scheme for payment of its obligations in goods and in gold. The* world cannot forget the deliberate and ruthless devastations committed by the Germans in' France, Belgium and elsewhere, and rightly looks for rest(fration. Apparently Dr. Rathenau is impressed with the desire for peace and economic rehabilitation, and if Germany will only act honestly and do her best, the Allies may be relied upon to treat her with due consideration. With a common effort on the part of ail the nations to reach better times and conditions, and with the help that America can give if she wjll, there should be a reasonable prospect of the shrine of peace being completed so as to stand as an endtiring and inspiring monument of a new era of international concord and amity.