INTERNATIONAL POLICY

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20498, 14 May 1938, Page 6

INTERNATIONAL POLICY

The statement made by the British Foreign Minister at the meeting of the League Council at Geneva will open a discussion that may be of great importance. The British Government proposes to recognise Italian sovereignty over Abyssinia, holding that it will do something to ensure peace. Viscount Halifax admitted frankly that the Assembly had bound the members not to recognise territorial changes effected by force, but contended that united action in the matter was impossible, and that it would be better to face facts than to live in an unreal world. The matter, however, goes far beyond the Abyssinian dispute. The doctrine of non-recognition was first enunciated in the United States when Japan created by force the puppet State of Manchukuo. The members of the League of Nations endorsed the policy and it has since been maintained. Until Germany took action only one State, a small South American republic, had recognised the Manchukuan Government. It could be said that far more people in the Eastern country assisted the aggressors than was the case in Abyssinia, for the Manelius, vho form a considerable proportion of the population in Manchukuo, were willing to oppose the Chinese. The only assistance the Italians received in their campaign was from a deserter and his immediatte followers. The question arises, if Italian rule in Abyssinia is formally reorganised, can the independence of Manchukuo be withheld? If it cannot then.the League must turn its back on previous decisions, jettison the Lytton Report, and accept the Japanese version that the movement was really a rising of the people themselves, which Japan, to protect her large interests, thought it necessary to assist. It would appear to be impossible to grant recognition in one case and refuse it in the other, if any definite principle is to govern the decisions at Geneva. If one is recognised and not the other then the whole thing will appear to many people to be a matter of bargaining and not of principle at all. The issue was stated very baldly by Senator Borah, who is still a power in the United States, and care must be exercised or the advocates of strict isolation there will be more strongly entrenched. The position of the British delegation is verv difficult. Its spokesmen have to condemn the methods adopted by Italy, but recognise the results, and that recognition must be given for the whole agreement recently negotiated depends upon it. This is said to be the policy of realism, but it involves abandonment of the ideal of internationafco-operation, and exposes the smaller countries to danger. If aggression is condoned, after the lapse of a year or two, then no Power runs any great risk by being aggressive. The collective system of security will have received its deathblow.