1939-12-06 — Page 8

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That's a

WHITBREAD

THE SUPERB PALE ALE

THE CHINA MAIL, DECEMBER 6, 1939

MIRROR OF WORLD OPINION

DEMOCRACY IN CHINA

But the most truthful signs of China's political changes to-day do not point either to communism or to fas- cism. They point instead to demo- cracy. For more than two years, un- der the pressing circumstances of war, China has already learned to operate a working democracy. After the hostili- ties end, this democratic system will undoubtedly be retained and improved upon so that the present all-party co- operation can be made the basis of na- tional unity."China Press,” Shang- hai.

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THE POWER OF THE EMPIRE

THE FOOD POSITION

It is obvious that the German citisen has some doubts (suggested probably, by an unsatisfied physical craving within) about the conquest of the seas. So the German broad- casts endeavours to create a more cheerful mood by stories of food shortage in Britain. It is true that bacon and butter are not plentiful here; but all the other allegations may be put in the same category with a statement broadcast a week or so ago that the harassed British Govern- ment had had to remove to "a town in the North of England called Buxton, which is now in flames." The best answer to all this "enlightenment" in Germany is the statement made in the House of Commons by Mr. Morrison, “ the Minister of Food. He said that there were adequate supplies of food with the exception of butter and bacon. The Government proposed to ration these two foods in the latter part of December. Meat, margarine, and all other foods will remain unrationed.

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For a speedy and decisive issue to the war this concentration of power is of the first importance. The vast resources of the British Empire will be organised in the common cause. Economic co-operation will be one of the most important objectives of the War Conference. All the Colonies are

raw materials and foodstuffs. The pre- mons was that it would be fairer vailing spirit throughout the lands ration butter and bacon without delay, which owe allegiance to the King is as at present distribution was unequal. that expressed by Mr. Fraser, the Act- "Manchester Guardian." ing Prime Minister of New Zealand, when he promised every man and every inch of the productive capacity of his country to the service of the Allies.-London "Daily Telegraph."

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NAGGING AT WHITEHALL

Though no one suggests that the Government is, or should be, above criticism, we cannot believe that the cause the whole-nation has at heart is best served by niggling attacks on Ministers and the Civil Service. For a time the Ministry of Information was the favourite target. Was there no big

advance on the Western front? The Ministry of Infor- mation was res-

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NOTHING DOING

to

There are so many more convinc- ing reasons for not holding secret ses- sions of either House of Parliament that it seems a pity Lord Stanhope thought of dragging in the renowned and Nazi Joseph as one of them. “Dr. Goebbels," he told the House of Lords, "the moment a secret session was held would say at once that in this House and in the Commons there was a very strong move for an immediate peace on Germany's terms, and things of

PROPAGANDA

Lord Macmillan, head of the Ministry of Information, has sald British policy excludes propa. gandising America. The Ministry will give Information as request. ed by Americans. That this is a sound polloy, even from a pro-

view, pagandist's point of

10 shown by the City of Flint in- cident which made headlines because Americana demanded that it should. In the World War Americans so thoroughly took up the job of propagandising them- selves that it was greatly lighten. ed for the Allies. After all, war hath no propagandist like roader's demand for

vicarious horror. "Christian Science Monitor."

а

that kind. How are

we going to deny that?" Surely the answer is that we do not bother, and have not bothered for many a long day, to deny any- thing that emerges from Truthful Joe's forceful imagina- tion. What Joe says, like what Sam Weller's soldier said (and, by the way, Joe was late- ly reported to have been raised to the rank and style of major general), is just not evidence. Indeed, it might very well operate the other way. If

ponsible. Had no enemy battleship been sunk? Blame the Ministry of In- formation again. The Ministry con- cerned having de- monstrated the ob- vious, that its function was to pass on news sup- plied by the Ser- vice departments, and not to origin- ate it, the critics turned to other victims. The troops in France were not getting their letters as quickly a s people in South Kensington. Plain- Joe said that the House of Commons ly somebody had blundered. Was business being lost because of the cen- sorship on telephone calls and cables to foreign countries? Then this, we gathered, should instantly be abolished, the greatest care being taken at the same time to ensure that enemy agents should not smuggle out vital informa- tion under cover of a business cable or conversation. For it is always a characteristic of this type of eritic that he wants the best of all worlds- the iron efficiency of a dictatorship combined with the democrat's right to decide everything for himself. London "Daily Telegraph."

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BELGIAN DEMOCRACY

Belgium cannot remain passive when the real independence of small States is at stake. She must have her say and exercise her influence.

was sighing for peace, neutral opinion would probably conclude that it was about to approve some enormous mas- ter-stroke of belligerency; if Joe said that the Commons were warlike, peo- ple would begin to assume peace moves in the background. It is a pity about Joe; he has his points as a public performer and contributor to the gaiety of nations, but as a source of informa- tion he has got himself into a thoroughly bad jam.

What he says simply does not go. But that is no reason why we should pay any atten- tion at all to his views on the subject of secret sessions.-"Manchester Guar- dian,"

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SPAIN'S NEUTRALITY

The International conflict's new as- pect resulting from Russian interven- tion in Poland can only serve to re- affirm and reinforce Spain's neutrality. Franco ordered Spain to observe the strictest neutrality at the outbreak of The problem of peace-our peace war in Eastern Europe. He declared is not separate from that of democracy, we must stay out of the conflict be.. The attempt to disassociate the de- cause it was for Spain's highest in-' fence of the right of peoples from that terest to do so. In-prescribing neu- of men is in vain. To-day we clearly trality, Franco has correctly interpret- see that insurance of freedom within ed the criterion of the Spanish peo- states is the best means of assuring ple and also acted in the best inter- the freedom of the states themselves. est of the Spanish State of which he

Le Soir" · Brussels.

is in charge. ́Alcazar,” Madrid;

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