Unless it is- supposed that the 'Chamberlains are simple, weak men, easily dominated by the dictators, it may even encourage our hope of success. For years we have been crying out for someone to lead and do the big thing, to originate events instead of being' obsequious to them. Now that the man has volunteered, the least we can do, whatever our' personal views, is' to give him the encouragement of our cheers and to maintain the brave spectacle of a united nation, But with him, too, it is a matter of conscience, and conscience takes no account of personal danger. He has, 't any rate, already done one inestim= able service to his country. Even the negotiations fall, its conscience will be clear of the reproach of miss-Ing any chance of peace this time as we have missed many in the past. The negotiations that are now beginning are not with the dictators alone, Italy. Particular attention is pald to the relations between Italy and Nicaragua for the present naval situation has renewed interest in the project for a Nicaraguan sea-level canal, The Panama Canal locks are only 110 feet wide and the necessity. of passing through the canal presents dimeulties in designing baltieships Deavier than 28.009 tons. tly'
lieved to have sold the Nicaraguan government war supplies left over }from the Abyssinian war at extremely favourable terms.
The net result of all these developments is to change the world conditions upon which Congressmen have been wont to base their views of The differences of opinion between Mr. Eden and the Prime Minister, £0 far as they have been revealed, are not suficlent to explain the rosigna~ tion. If Mr. Eden thought - with Labour that the true policy. of peace was to align the democracies on a common battle front against the dictaors; or that it was enough to chant the formula of collective security be, in fact, secure; or that the drift of! affairs' was inevitably towards peace; or that a blu of war would come off; oF that actual war promised an easy, pleasant victory; or that victory itself would settle anything then, Indeed, there might be much to be said against making any special effort.
But. Mr. Eden's own speeches Foreign Minister and the gross fact of present experience contradict such suppositions. The very first condition of peace is to cease dividing mankind {into sheep and goats; to assume that though nations may be wiser or more foolish, they are all honestly trying fo do the right thing. If we cannot bring ourselves to that view, and quill want peace, there i no way but to sulk at home and refuse to have anything to do with the world outside, for the third way of persuasion, that Is impossible except by assaying ench other's views and the chances of conciling them.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.