Aprit 18, The first fruits of Mr, Neville Chamberlain's} foreign policy is the Anglo-Italian agreement] Which was signed on Saturday evening. The way has been prepared for a complete change in the relations between the two countries, and itis to be hoped a restoration, of the old cordiality which should never have been allowed to disappear, It is not necessary at this juncture to discuss all the many veusons for the deterioration of those rela~ tions, save to say that the primary cause was Inevitable combat between the realism of the Htalian policy, and the idealism of that followed so persistently by My, Anthony 'Eden, Following the resignation of Sir Samuel Hoare, as a result of the rejection of the: Hoare-Laval scheme for the settlement of the'
Abyssinian crisis, Mr. Eden came into power with the backing of that enormously power-{ul public opinion which had condemned the compromise which Sir Samuel Hoare and M. Laval had planned. He followed a policy based on the ideology of the League of Nations, and it eventually became apparent) that, instead of bettering conditions in Europe, it was speedily worsening them. Unable to adapt himself fo the policy which the Prime Minister wished, Mr, Eden resigned, and Mr. Chamberlain wus then free to follow the urge which he had laid down for his govment of seeking the appeasement of]
rope by coming to a belter understanding, with those nations from which there was a. growing estrangement. This did not mean, forsaking the League or its principles, but did involve the recognition of the fact' that, by reason of that body's mutilation, it no} longer possessed the authority which its founders originally hoped it would have, and. which indeed in its earlier years it possessed. though, perhaps, not quite in the form that could be universally acceptable. It should be admitted at once that a policy which sought to impose the ideology of the League! upon nations, which would have none of it, mistaken one, and, realizing that, Mr.
nain, despite a flood of hostile criticism, sought other avenues towards the establishment of better relations. This Journal heartily welcomes the steps which have been taken, as represented in the document which was signed on Saturday, believing that it is only by the adjustment of such questions as the agreement covers that progress can be made towards good understanding, and thereby peace.
'The difference between Mr. Chamberlain' and Mr. Eden was, in the last event, one of outlook, Mr. Eden wanted guarantees of Htalian good faith before he would negotiate! an agreement: Mr, Chamberlain has proceeded upon the assumption of Mahan bona fides in the faith that Ialian goodwill does exist and will be demonstrated in the manner in which Rome adheres to the undertakings which it has subscribed. That, and that alone, will be the only means of testing the cor-yeelness of Mr. Chamberlain's policy. 'The proof of this particular pudding will' be in the cating thereof, and should it transpire, it is hoped it will, that the Italian Goverr ment as well as the British ce-operate in making this new instrument an effective one, much of the anxiety which at present pervades Europe will have disappeared and its place. This new up vistas which have long:
cuded in gloom. It is reported that services NAGAI,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.