1941-01-22 — Page 23

THE CHINA MAIL, JANUARY 22, 1941.

Page

CHINA MAIL Wanted: Policemen

WINDSOR HOUSE

THE HALIFAX APPOINTMENT

For A

conservatives.

did not

mean

New World

By LORD DAVIES

2

Movement for

Founder of the New Commonwealth Society,

Establishing an international Police Force.

crisis

backed

we

The American people have extended a cordial London, Nov. 13-Lord Chad-

To-day, we here in Britain are bourne, Britain's "Dominions Sec

France welcome to Lord Halifax retary, said to-night that the post.

holding the fort.

has capitulated. The British Com- as British Ambassador.war world must be based on a

monwealth alone is left to play They respect his ability, force. This first more or less spe

peace: system having its own police

the part of the International Policeman. We have no desire to integrity and deeply re-cific statement, by a member of effective machinery was created authority and, when the

annex territories, nor do we seek

But the British Government as to what to give effect to its provisions. No ligious sincerity, and they should be the shape of things to attempt was made to establish an

came, was impotent to stem the economic advantages. tide of aggression. The dictators

cherish our free and representa- do not fail to recognise come, was made by the Viscount Equity Tribunal composed of im- -Mussolini and Hitler,

Live institutions, and are deter- the great

mined to put an end to gangster- importance in a speech to Oxford University | partial persons who would be able by Japan never lost an oppor- which Britain attaches to

to deal with disputes which could tunity of weakening, and utimate-ism in Europe. It is only natural "The nations in the organisa.not be settled by negotiation and ly destroying, the League.

that we should confidently look the Washington post, astion," he declared, "must agree to

conciliation. It suffered the same

To-day, we are paying the price to the United States for assistance for our of their sover ale as Article 16.

in this stupendous struggle. implied by the appoint-some mitation

folly, complacency and Unfortunately, at "the jeignty. This is an essential of the

outset wishful thinking. Now we rea-

There are two reasons why we ment of the Foreign Min-continuation of peace."

America deserted her offspring -

should do so. The first is that the lise that everything which we as United States of America has al- ister to fill it. Considering The Viscount explained that he

the League and without her freg and democratic communities active support the "major force hold dear, is at stake.

ways been regarded as the cham- We must an international the type of representation force

of mankind"

plon of democracy and the expo- generally

could not operate fight this war to the bitter accepted

end. Thereafter the Lea-because effectively.

nent of federalisın. in London with which Mr. terms." adding: “I mean

there can

The greatest a force Roosevelt was for so long subscribe to the principles which stead of developing into a

contributed by the nations whose degenerated, more and more,

contribution of Britain to the pro- into a mere talking shop, and in-

gress of civilisation has been the development of representative gov. content, this is indeed a inspired the organisation to which international

real authority. which

ernment; the outstanding achieve- distinguished return. It they belong. This police force must could

ment of the if dispense justice,

United States "has and have adequate machinery for re- necessary guarantee its enforce- has not, perhaps, made moral of the causes of war."

been the growth of federalism. ment, it gradually lost its moral

existence of both is that intimate appeal to!

threatened by the dictators 10 Berlin and Rome. American opinion which uses which have hurled Europe might have been made by once more into the cauldron the appointment of some spread until it has enveloped the less conservative figure, Whole world. Yet when some one less deeply iden- were few of us who did not be- armistice was sigued in 1918, theru tified with the "appease-lieve that for at least a century

there would not be ment" of the Chamber-|

another great war. The vast majority lain era, of a wider popu-of

"in

Looking back over the last 20 years, we can now discern the

J[

war. The conflagration may even

th:

be no cum-

promise with evil no patched-

up peace with Herr Hitler. Such a peace would only be an armed truce: the starting point of a new war for the destruction of liberties and our democratic ins- titutions.

Greece Fights

Out

For Democracy

The

NOW

as

Secondly, there was it time when America was regarded the foremost protagonist of law and order in the world. Thirty years ago, in the days of Theo- dure Roosevelt, William Taft. Elihu Root and other stalwarts, the American, people supported the principle of arbitration for the settlement of infernational dis-

people in every country Out of the somewhat bewilder- under German domination except putes. In 1910 United States

lar appeal and less typical President Wilson as their de-emerge a few concrete facts; suf- vietic

were war weary; the inasses hailing events in the Balkans there for the barrier erected by the So- | Congress passed a resolution de-

all

So we can't helo looking back.

diately after

World the

energies' to the establishment of

of war.

The machinery

necessary to

the

By James Ross

power.

tions.

J

of

10

of the old tradition of liverer, and the

land-grab of Besarabia. manding the establishment of an League of Na- ficient, perhaps, to provide the The Hungarian alliance is the most International Navy and requested British aristocratic offi.tions, as the commencement of a basis for an attempt at an analysis. significant of these moves, since it, President Taft to submit this pro-

new era when Wat, with cialism. But it is not easy misery and suffering, would be brought about the fourth set-back southward through the Balkans.

itsFirst, Italy's invasion of Greece has throws wide the main highway position to the governments

Europe. Sir Edward Grey, Bri- to point to such a figure; the Germans were lood in their banished from the planet. Even

-- and perhaps the most serious so To understand this, one must tain's Foreign Minister, promised while Mr. Churchill's pro- protestations of no more war,

for-to Axis plans since the pre-examine the physical geography British sympathetic consideration sent war began. No matter how of that area. blem in making

From Vienna south but the Kaiser and his henchimen the ap-

As I write in this City of Lon- don, bombs are exploding

to Belgrade in Yugoslavia the na- in Berlin rejected it. pointment was a complex round, guns are booming and the

tural path of conquest is down

How different the history of the the Danubian valley, thence up intervening perlod might have one. If its real importance nightly visitation has begun.

the struggle ends, history will pro- the Morava valley to Skopljie, been if this proposal had been is to be found quite as especially to those days imme

bably record that in the long run thence south again down the Var-accepted. Instead of two major much in its effect upon hen hopes ran high and

Germany's failure to obtain adar valley to Salonika, East from wars in 25 years, we might have War, complete Cannae in the. Battle of Nis runs nature's pathway into enjoyed peace and unprecedented British policy at home as our leaders, led by President Wil-

When France was a definite jolt to the the Maritza through Bulgaria and prosperity, in its effect on American son, appeared to be bending their Juggernaut. Next ranks the failure down into the Turkish plain. And The essential problem still re- to invade England; whether ita Yugoslavia which might well mains unsolved. How are we to opinion, that was some

was ever attempted is beside the under present circumstances make put an end to international a new order which would prevent point. Thirdly, the British Navy's a bold stand against Italy's one racketeering? It is clear that thing for Mr. Churchill the outbreak of new conflagra-attack on the French flect at Oran real gateway into the country-should. Herr. Hitler win this war, to decide.

tions, introduce principles of

top. justice and law into the relation- prevented increase of German sea the Pear Tree Pass leading into the gangsters will be on

of-states, and make the stupid blunder. Not the least valuable ships

Now comes Mussolini's the Sava valley-could not with- Having. În rapid succession, put world safe for democracy.

stand for long the body-blow of every country in Europe on the of the Prime Minister's

Why stupid? It is easy to recognise the mis- complete misconception of the Such a move would of course be dislodge them. That is why there Because, with a German invasion via Hungary. spot, it would be very difficult to qualities is his skill in so takes which have landed us in a factual employment of both air fadilitated by a complacent Bulcan be no compromise. tids a

new Armageddon. There managing personal and two cardinal errors. The first that into the hands of Britain, with crumbs from the Axis: table, and

were and sea power, he threw Greece Egarla, greedy to obtain a few fight to the finish. party divisions

There can be no rule of law, within although President Wilson had

declared that "if the moral force the net result establishment of would be a grave threat to Turkey no justice, no freedom, so long as Britain as to keep a whol-or the world will not suffice, the British air bases at pbits halving in Europe.

they aretin possession of their ill- the previous distance between ly united country behind physical force of the world shall," southern Italian: ports, and British that Sovdet Busstal has thus far hand, even when Herr! Hitleraand However, when it is recalled gotten plunder. On the other

him while at the same out teeth. Article 16 of the Coven-African. line of communications at move by a "cooperative exten- possible:for the Bitish Common- the League was constituted with-bases, and setting them astride this jumatched every German . castward his Nabis are defeated,iitiisiäm- time freeing his adminis-ant provided for-sanctions against its most sensitive spoint-the|sion" which now reaches from wealth blone and whaiddel

the aggressor; but no attempt was Strait of Otranto and the lonim the Baltic to the Black Sea, one police the world. That is at task tration for its great tasks. made to organise what Wilson By appointing Lord Hali- described as "the major force of British air power within easy Russia would seize to erect fur-major: force of mankind

Sea, Incidentally, he also placed might speculate upon what means which must be undertaken by the fax to Washington he has madrid", to prevent the outbreak range of his Albanian communicather barriers of protection. A Ger- If at the end of the war, the not only removed another

[manie littoral on the Black Sea American Republic and the Bri- Whether or not this be viewing and Germanic domination of the tish Commonwealth are prepared "Guilty Man" from his apply the brake and deter

aggressor by imposing economic,

the Balkan scene with rose-finted Dardanelles would spell one more to combine their air forces, just Fown government, and financial, and military sanctions

glasses, the fact remains that no frustration of age-old Russian-am-as years ago, it was proposed by done so without invidious was never developed. No Inter- sooner was Grecian terrain openbitions for an all-weather-sea lane Congress. to, pool. their navies, the

national Police Force was set up Force and the Fleet Air Arm went ranean.

to England than the Royal Air to the Atlantic via the Mediter- problem would be solved, under implications, but has been which could act with promptness into action the former against

the control and direction able to bring Mr. Eden and vigor, should

-Axis propaganda thunder rum-policing commission, appointed by, the necessity the Italians struggling in the bles loudly further to the west, and responsible to, Congress and back to the Foreign Office.

mountain: passes of the Pindus with all outward indications point- the Parliaments of the British This is a powerful move in control over their own forces and coup of torpedoing from the air ish cooperation in

still retained range, the latter in its brimanting to a move into Spain, or Span- Commonwealth. It could super- direct attack vise a scheme of general disarma- the moral offensive upon the Covenant intended should be Italian fleet

armaments which the framers of a considerable proportion of the upon Gibraltar, with the objectivement it could ensure and if the Mussolini regime; pooled and controlled by the Lea-Taranto.

m the harbour of of cutting the British Mediterran-necessary insist upon the creation Mean life-line and, by use of Span- of machinery for the peaceful set- purpose important, assert the rule of law and pre-boy todo Mussolini's, sending of a ish western ports and air bases it would become the foundation Out of tlement of all disputes. In short, perhaps, it will tend to vent any country, large or small, far abortive invasion of Greece by submarine and by air.

stone of the rule of law, and put reopen real communica- from attacking its neighbours,

Secondly, Article 18, which re-significant fact emerges. The Ru- successful, it would be a heavy

appears to have been, another Let us examine this threat. If an end to international reakcteer- tions with the Russians. commended the peaceful revisionmanian oil fields are now within blow to the British Empire. Two

ing.

During the period of recons- It has brought to of treaties from time to time, re-range of British bombing 'planes things mitigate against success, truction, and until the New Order

mained a pious aspiration, and no based in Greece. the Foreign Office, some-

"Added to this however. In the first place, Spain had been fully established, it is the loss of "face" by Italy, is to-day is no condition to wage would be entrusted with the duties thing of the boldness and ority in Whitehall which may go far in stiffening a major operation of warfare of an International Policeman. imagination which it has Though he was Mr. Chamall, through that country lles the place, Spain, already almost at say 10 or 20 years came to an end,

Yugoslavia's attitude. And, after against Gibraltar. In the second | And when the transition period of, lacked and won for it a berlain's apologist in the royal road to, invade, Greece and starvation's door, could not sup- other nations who signified their confidence abroad, which appeasement" era, the It is amazing that these consi-That Germany must make some tenance of law and order could be under Lord Halifax it completeness of his con derations should not have been move to retrieve the Mediterran-enrolled as members of the Inter- could never quite com- version is as undoubtederal staffs, prior to Italy's move. it will be either through Spain or its maintenance

thoroughly weighed by Axis genean situation is indicated. That national Force and contribute to mand.

- a new League, as was that of Lord LothPerhaps they were. There is through the Balkans is further in- but a League with power and And to say that Lord ian. His ability and auth-Greek and Yugoslavian sources, alimented by an ever-lengthening

indication, though from :dicatad. Either operation must be authority..

Before this war is over, Halifax was not the ideal ority should serve well to which may be biased, that Italy line of communications. Simul- combined air forces of the British. choice for the Embassy is keep relations between expected no Grecian resistance taneous moves both ways violate Commonwealth and the United by no means to say that the two great democracies course.

One can only surrhise; on this, of the principles of simplicity and States may reach the figure of 50,- of economy of force. When to 000 planes or even more. And he will not prove to be a upon a secure plane of in any event, Mussolini has these points be added the fact that when the dictators have very good one. He has clarity and candour- spilt quite a few beans, which Hit the Rumanian oil supply, vital to finally vanquished, why should inler must pick up. Hence the both Italy and Gormany, is men- we repeat the mistakes of 20 years one essential qualification this world crisis the most trantle efforts to spread Axis da aced so long as British air pow-ugo? Why should we then dis- Which another man might vital single undertaking Balkans, the inclusion of Hungary, dp in the direction of the Bal whose services can be enlisted, mot mination in other parts of the er has Grecian bases, the scales perse these knights of the vair have lacked; he can speak before the English speak and the probable inclusion of kuns. Further prediction comes only to give uswviċtoryinaw,Lbut:

*-Bulgaria and Rumanía. The last into the realm of pure conjec-Fálso to establish a darable: peace with unquestioned authing world.

last named, of course, Was already lture.

even more

ever arise.

National States

gue for one

to

Turkey.

of a

port an Axis expeditionary force. desire to: participate in the main-

the

been