Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1939. A LEAGUE EFFORT FOR PEACE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 December 1939, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1939. A LEAGUE EFFORT FOR PEACE.

WHILE the League of Nations Assembly unhappily is divided VV on the question of Finland’s appeal against the aggression of Soviet Russia, a great majority of its members P™™’™ • support the action taken by the Constitution Committee telegraphing to Russia and Finland proposing an immediate cessation of hostilities and negotiations under the auspices of the Assembly, and giving a period of twenty-tour hours loi reply This', at all events, taking everything into account, probably is as purposeful a line of action as the Assembly could have been expected unitedly to adopt. From anv standpoint of respect for international law and justice it is' impossible to do anything else than condemn uncompromisingly the Russian attack on Finland, but on a number of obvious grounds a policy of action based on that condemnation would be exceedingly difficult to carry into effect. In an orderly world, based on a reign of law, Germany won cl hate been the head and front of an association of nations directed to withstanding aggression in the Baltic. Lor the | inlp icing, however, Germany is not merely an opponent of the League, but stands indicted before the world as herself. the worst 01. ao-oi-essors. Suggestions of uncertain authenticity that Nazi Germany is doing a certain amount of kite-flying on the question of co-operation with the Allies in an anti-Bolshevik crusade are ri"htlv being regarded in Britain and France with suspicion and contempt. It would not be a hopeful enterprise to recruit an international police force from the ranks of international criminals. At the same time, the refusal of the small neighbours of the Soviet, and that of China, to support the expulsion ol Russia from the League at least may easily be understood. Without doing anything to better the lot or prospects ol Finland, the expulsion of Russia from the League might in itself prompt an attack on other small nations lying within reach of the paws of the bear. It may be doubted whether any military action organised or endorsed by the. League would serve in itself to halt Russian aggression in Finland. Possibly on account of condensation, the opinions of the London “Times” on this subject, cornered in a radio message, are rather difficult to reconcile or understand. The statement of “The Times” that it would mean only a small diversion of British and French resources, to ensure for Finland a triumph in the air is rather unconvincing in view of the reputed strength of the Soviet Air Force and of the importance of handily adjacent industrial and ground organisation, amongst other factors, in maintaining an air force in full fighting strength. “The Timos” is also quoted as stating that the present war would come to a speedy end il the remaining League members decided to take up arms together, but that: “This is an ideal of League action which is unlikely to be reached. It would be foolish, “The Times” further observes, lor the Allies to take any action that would weaken the main strategic plan in' the war against Germany. This last surely must be the final and overshadowing consideration. On the whole, the prospects of saving Finland and bringing Russia, to account by positive military action are so far, at an immediate view, from being promising that the alternative course taken by the Assembly through the agency of its Constitution Committee must be welcomed. At worst, if the Soviet rejects the mediation offered, individual members of the League will be no worse placed than they are now to take action in support of Finland. On the other hand, if Russia agrees Io halt her attack and to negotiate, the outlook for Finland can hardly he worse than it is now and conceivably may be a great deal better. It might prove possible in this way to achieve the aim declared by the Norwegian President ol' the Assembly, M. Hambro, when he said that the representatives of the nations must act with prudence and foresight to make the present Assembly the starting point of a new League. Bad as the situation is and much as it has been aggravated by Russia’s entirely unprovoked and indefensible attack on Finland. it may not be finally beyond remedy. Had it abstained from lawless aggression, the Soviet might have argued with some plausibility that it was in the interests of internal ional peace that safeguards should be established, not against the absurd contingency of an attack on Russia by Pinland. Iml against the possible occupation of Finland by a strong third Power with a view to an attack on Russia. If the whole question can be brought to dispassionate consideration under the auspices of the League, a solution satisfactory to all parlies should lie within reach. It, is certain that Finland has no desire either herself Io attack Russia or to provide any third party with facilities for doing so