The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24, 1926. NOT WITHOUT HOPE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 24 March 1926, Page 8

The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24 , 1926. NOT WITHOUT HOPE.

‘ ‘Sp'Ociiil interests in various conn tries strongly and brutally exerted themselves,” declared Hr. Stresemanu (the Gernuui Chancellor) in a speech in the Reichstag’, describing' the experiences of the German delegation at Geneva, “to tho detriment of the idea, of the universality of the League.” The Germans say that deadlock at Geneva, “brought! the Leag-uci of National into a serious crisis, which rcvea-led that tho League hitherto had been the instrument of victorious Stales/’ This is scarcely true. Rut Berlin official circles go as far as to say that tho German Govcrnnient desired to co-operato on equal terms with tho other nations; of tho League, and safeguard German interests in peaceful competition with other nations. It would he stupid,” says Dr. Stresemanu, “to abandon our aim, which is collaboration will) other nations, because the mechanism of tho League bad failed this time. Tho German Government bad unanimously decided to follow up the Locarno, policy, with which the continued occupation of tho second and third Rhineland zones was incompatible.” It cannot be said of Germany that her policy produced the unhappy state of affairs which resulted in. what was virtually the break-up of tho Geneva Conference. Moreover, Germany has given it to he understood that she. will not attend. Genova in September without aguarantee that there will he no repetition of last, week’s fiasco. Not unnaturally Germany _ m suspicious; hut Berlin official sources sa.v that Germany rather fears tliat Britain and Franco are bargaining behind her hack. This false impression should be removed by a. definite pronouncement by the British horeign Secretary. Strangely enough the American Ambassador in London sees nothing h,ut disaster ahead. Europe has become, be says, an armed camp and all that is nocessaiy to produce another Avar, is for some country to become obsessed with fear, and throw a burning torch Avliich might result in another flare-up. Despite the set-hack at Geneva, however, the European outlook is by no means without, hope. Tho history of Europe since the Avar lias been on tho whole encouraging. There, have been must remarkable fluctuations of feeling. First wo have a profound idealism, a coiiA'iction that a. “new era” Avas opening-. Tho peoples avovo genuinely anxious to forget tho animosities which have brought about worldwide havoc. Presently scepticism, crept, in, and on the part of certain .‘dalesmen there Avas oven cynicism. The recalcitrancy of Germany aroused deep indignation. Then 1 Avas tho Ruhr experiment., which, Avbether justified or not, increased tho tension in Europe, fanned the. flames of hatred in Germany, and incidentally depreciated the _ French currency. 'The possibility cf fresh Avars Avas apparent.. Suddenly tliero Avas another extraordinary change. There Avas an orien fa Lion of policy towards pacificism. The Locarno Pact, as avo have seen, may be severely criticised. It may not bo as efficacious as its framers suppose. Yet Avium all is said and done it does tend to develop a desire for peace. It is bailed by the peoples as a promising, sign. 'The, idea of tho United States of Europe avus revived because of llu> Locarno Fact. It Avould have, been foolish to have imagined that, there would bo no reaction. 'Another European crisis Avas not unthinkable. There lias been disappointment and disillusionment. But. 100 much importance, should not be given to a passing phase. Britain, France and Germany for their own salvation must inevitably honour the Locarno- Pact, in bo ill letter and spirit. Tho general trend is in the direction of international agreements, and Avimfever upheavals there may he in tho future Avill hardly break the larger curve of tilings. Therefore, although it is liard to imagine that the United States of Europe can bo an immediate reality, it is permissabio to hope that unity Avill ho adopted as the. new wateh-AVord of Ihc Old Oonlinonl. If is Avorlhy of nob', that Germany was punished at 'Versailles. She repented at Locarno, and she applied at Geneva- for admission In the Councils of the League of Nations in whieii Germany wonh.l accept her full share of responsibility for preserving the pence of Europe which is imposed upon tho signatories of the Locarno Pact. ToDva. shj-illu ,‘ihrdlu