NEWS OF THE WEEK
DESPITE rumours to the contrary, hope for the survival of the Disarmament Conference need not yet be ,abandoned. Not . merely disarmament but the collective system itself is involved in the success or failure of the Conference. The more public attention is focussed on that aspect of the question the better. For that reason it is satisfactory that the statement just issued by the. Archbishop of Canterbury. on behalf of a notable body. of leaders ,of,the Churches lays special stress on the need for security .resting on a collective system and maintained in case of need by collective action. It is no answer to say that the world is not ready for that yet.- The first step - is to make our own country ready for it to an extent that it never has been so far. Public opinion moves slOwly, but if is moving in that direction today; and .the Archbishop's statenient will stimulate. the'procesS.- Meanwhile it would be some Vindication, of the collective systeni if the League Council could at least agree on a-general, veto on the export of arms to Bolivia and' Paragua.. As Mr. BaldWin. showed in the House of Commons on Wednesday this country and France were ready for such -a course a year .ago. Con- current action by the United states is essential, and Mr. ROoSevelt -should be invited forthwith, to take it.
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