1940-09-03 — Page 7

THE CHINA MAIL, SEPTEMBER 3, 1940

CHINA MAIL

WINDSOR HOUSE

"NON-AGGRESSIVE" DIPLOMACY

Reports that Germany is offering more of Poland to the Soviets, as an in- ducement to keep Russia quiet over the Balkans, indicate a developing ten-

sion in the game for hege- mony on the European continent. The Axis Pow- ers have made it plain that they want peace "in this part of Europe." They have gone so far as to compel Rumania to give up territory to Hungary and Bulgaria in order to keep those nations satis- fied. But whether the Axis can continue to in- crease its influence in the Balkans without rousing the Soviets is still a deli- cate question.

Polish territory is not the only offering with which the Axis is tempt- ing the Russians. There is talk, too, of some con- cessions to Russia in the sub-Carpathian Ukraine,

seized from Czechoslová- "I HOPE THEY DON'T THINK WE'RE FOLLOWING THEM, VERA”

kia by Hungary. All this activity comes under the! official Nazi label of "European reconstruc- tion."

But that label is not

What England Means

London.

What is the value of British life

opaque enough to pre-and character to world civilisa- tion? To answer this question I

vent one from seeing will look at Britain from outside, through it into the Bal-and make the following bold

generalisation about the world's

To

Me

Challenge To Democracy

So sudden and complete has been the temporary catastrophic triumph of Nazi Germany over great part of Europe that the average Britisher has been roused to facing present-day issues in a manner more fundamental than is his wont.

Few there are to-day who do not acknowledge the, justification of the historical truth that no em pire falls from attacks from with out, but from within-that the France which, petitioned for peace terms in June, was already griev ously weakened before the Nazis mechanised onslaught.

France, the home of modern democracy, is under a cloud. This may have driven certain people here to an abandonment of the democratic ideal, but for the vast majority it has been a warning of the terrible results which follow the neglect of defects in the de- mocratic system us now operat- ing, and particularly a call to ex- amine dispassionately the failure of that which has passed muster for modern democracy in many countries, besides France.

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In such an illusion of demo-. cracy, there has existed side by side a public much given to wrangling, Ignorant and incapable of grasping fundamental issues, and far-sceing resourceful and resolute leaders out to prosecute the war with the utmost energy

By J. Emlyn Williams

but frustrated by popular apathy.

This conception may still re- main in some peoples' thought but actually, it has long ceased to ex- ist in Britain. It has been re- placed by a keen sense of awak- ening among, the general masses and it is encouraging to note, as proof of a more enlightened de- mocracy working from below up- wards, that the most effective moves toward a more dynamie democracy have come from the people themselves.

This was not only true of the impetus which led to the, crea- tion of the National Government under Mr. Churchill but also when that Government promised a programme of "blood and tears, toil and sweat," the average Bri- tisher showed. no dismay, only. amazement that his- leaders had not issued such a challenge long ago.

Rarely, if ever, has the pru- Iman race when scientific black blem of leadership in democracy guards, conspirators, churls and been so openly discussed among Fanatics manage

.to supplant the ordinary people. They do not him.

define it in classroom terms, and (Incidentally, could there be a it is turned from an academic into better description of the Nazis a practical problem by the fear than "scientific blackguards, con- lest the British system should

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self-spirators, churls and fanatics") contain such defects as in It would be easy, if we had space France. The Press has given its

Odette Keun once

kan bottle. The propos-attitude toward her. The world's ciplined, industrious, and ed boundary revisions ob-tools admire Britain; its clever sacrificing Reich.

knaves scorne her; and its wise Among these Anglophobes are enough, to find 50 passages like readers some valuable and dis- viously are intended prim-men love her. An explanation of all the clever knaves, who find it this from the words of the wise passionate analyses of the French arily to keep the Balkans these three different points of view easy enough to outwit the nearest about Britain. Now what is it situation prior to capitulation and will take us a long way toward yawning British official, who is about the British scene and the average man has not been quiet, so that supplies understanding. Britain's peculiar apparently more interested in his character that calls forth such slow to note that these have been from that area can go for- character and worth.

lawn tennis and his. golf than in eulogies?

summarised as “lack of foresight, The fools who admire Britain his work, and so soon develop. a

wrote that fear of responsibility, divided ward to Germany; and are usually rich fools. They see sharp contempt for Britain. Her the Briton "is so free, as an in-counsel, outmoded military think- also to prevent Russia this country as the earthly para-day, they prophesy, is done. It dividual and as a nation, from ing and total. inability to under- from making further in-dise of the idle splendid rich, who does not occur to them, chiefly be envy, bitterness, and the senti- stand Nazi Germany's aims and

have here their racing stables, cause they have that kind of ment of revenge, that on this purposes and methods." roads in that region. their yachts, their grouse moors, cleverness which is too smart to score he appears to me, who has

their country houses, in which is learn anything profound, that been endowed to the topmost depression upon the British work- discovered

with the true an ancient smooth such prophecies have been made gree

vindictive ers, who are sensitive to the in- And what does Russia tradition of pleasant time-killing before and with equal certainty European soul, to belong already justice of exploitation under which There they live, but are equally sensi- think of the manoeuvres rich, nearly all over the worls, ly dismayed to find the sleepy is. irony in this praise, and yet it tive to the "great amount of good-

existence. The second-generation by clever men who were sudden-to the angelic hosts. and the offers? Will the have nearly always adopted Eng- Soviets be content to let lish outward habits and tricks. They do not mind being regard- Germany and Italy get a ed as Anglophiles, though, as a new grip on Southeastern rule; they know next to nothing about the English people or genu- Europe? Will Moscow re-ine English thought. They regard main appeased by RuLondon as the most magnificent and satisfying of all capital cities, mania's cession of Bessar-and Mayfair as the best fashion- abia to Russia?

able quarter in the world. It is old lion transformed into a great although I think their tolerance, strongly that that life could only the existence of so many of these roaring beast, eager for a fight to kindness; fairness, and public spirit be reformed, so to speak, on its feather-headed persons that has

finish. (It is significant that are hard to match. I mean that own basis, that in its acceptance Already the impassive given English life a false appear- Emerson pointed this out, a hun- the British community is in many of and permeation by great moral,

dred years ago).

respects the most highly develop- or perhaps even religious, values, Stalin seems to be looking ance of luxury and decadence.

ed in the world, and that its it was already at a higher stage These Anglophiles produce the There is an old joke here about peculiar strength is, of the utmost of development than societies do- away from recent new Anglophobes, and as these people the periodical Punch. "Purich gains on the Baltic, Sea have more intelligence and energy isn't as good as it used to be. importance at this present hour.minated by Fascist or Communist

they have also more influence: Punch_never was:"” In the same

theories, that Britain, perhaps be- and toward the situation They see what we take very little way, Britain is not as good as it It has long been observed with cause it is small, ancient, and has in the Balkans. Reports trouble to hide, what indeed we used to be, and Britain never astonishment that: national: crises known so much security, is the almost flaunt, and that is the huge was. But the world's wise en between capital and labour that political and civic experiment in such as some gigantic conflict most advanced laboratory of from Belgrade recount list of faults and weaknesses love Britain. For example, I think travellers' observations of They notice our people's love of it will generally be conceded that would mean anger and riot and the world.

other, country increasing activities of times, for hard work; our com-philosopher who taught in Ameri- seem to pass off quite easily and States, or any other democracy, I do not believe that the United case, and distaste, at normal George Santayana, the Spanish bloodshed in any

peacefully in Britain.

has anything to gain from imitat-

-By- J.B. PRIESTLEY

(contains a profound truth. In will and kindness that is to be many things British life is gen-found in their relations with those erations behind life elsewhere. human beings who happen to be But in other, and, to my mind, capitalists, often through no fault more important things, it is ahead of their own."! of, at a higher stage of develop- ment than national life elsewhere. I think I have criticised life in I do not mean by this that Bri-Britain as often and as sharply as tons as individuals are better than any contemporary writer. But [individuals in other countries, nevertheless I have always felt

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military significance. placency, our snobbery, our lack ca and has since settled in Rome,

of respect for intellect. In their is a first-class specimen of the in- There is no store of savagery ing Britain. These two great de- "And, indeed, the very fact

eyes the huge Empire is always ternational wise man. And no-waiting to be let loose, as there is mocracles cannot travel art exact- that the Axis must busy ready to fall to pieces. We seem to body has written more eloquently in America. The reason for this ly the same road. But I do hold them sleepy, decayed, and alto-and enthusiastically about the may be found in some observa-that what is individual and unique itself with Balkan mat-gether unworthy guardians of so British character than he has tions by, the philosopher, John in Britain is so precious to good- ters while its announced vast a treasure house, That is "He carries his English weather MacMurray, who has pointed out men everywhere in the world that invasion of Britain is still German, who is

nearly always the view of the in his heart wherever he goes, that the values upon which Eng-if Britain could no longer go her perpetually fand it becomes a cool spot in the lish society is based are religious: own way, if her ancient liberties pending shows that irritated by the thought that these desert, and a stondy and sane“. The governing values of were extinguished, it would be us slack but still arrogant Islanders, oracle- among all the deliriums of English social life belong to the if a great light were put out, and Reichsfuehrer Hitler con-whose grasp is obviously so loose, mankind. Never since the heroid field of direct personal relation- men who had never set foot in this tinues to have problems should command even yet more days of Greece has the world had ships." That is why Communist island would still feel that their Iwealth, power, and respect than such a sweet, just, boyish master theory, with its clear-cut anta-lown way to the good life were now east as well as west.

the members of his own dis-It will be a blackt day for the hu-'gonism, never has made much im-darker and more dangerous.