News of the Week
NO cloud has arisen to threaten the prospects of the signature of the Treaty for Renunciation of War before the end of this month on behalf of the nations invited to sign. Spain also wishes to sign, and we hope that it will be made easy for that proud and sensitive nation to join with us all in this great step forward of Christian civilization. In the old unregenerate days (she will forgive our saying) no rulers were more ready to use war as an instrument of policy than the Spanish Monarchs who quartered the globe and raised an empire in two hemispheres. To-day no country is more determined to progress along the paths of peace. As for Russia, we are very doubtful. There are obvious reasons, which appeal strongly to us, why we should try hard to bring Russia under the influence of every friendly activity, diplomatic or commercial. We need not reiterate them to-day. But here we have a larger problem. The outward signs of the Pact, its wording and the signing of it, are worth little unless they are based on the honesty of each nation, on the trust of each country in all the others, on the good will and confidence which can alone lead to the other visible signs that we long to see, of dis- armament. Great Britain would have small reason to fear the inclusion of Russia, for she would grasp willingly anY chance of happier relations with Moscow.
