The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 20

23 THE OBSERVER, SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1935. OPERA BALLET. THE WORLD WEEK THINK IT OUT. PREPARING FOR THE WORK of the WORLD Parents should read or present to their children that successful book, ON LEAVING SCHOOL By VISCOUNT WAKEFIELD MR. EDEN'S THE FUTURE OF V.

"MINIMUM LIABILITY "FRANCE AND BELGIUM. Thus benevolent Nudism and friendless Isolation are alike excluded from sane counsels. The practical considerations of the Cabinet are confined to the choice between specific commitments, restricted to nearer or nearest Europe, and some kind definite adhesion to the best system of collective security that can be devised in the spirit of the League. SOME ALTERNATIVES EXAMINED. M1 CO VENT OARDEH.

ROYAL OPERA. Managing Director OeotTrey Toye. DER RINQ DES NIBELUNQEN. under the mucloal direction of SIR THOMAS BEECHAM. BAST.

FIRST CTCLZ. U7 Srd. 6th, 9th, and 13th. SECOND CiOLS. Kay loth, 17th.

22nd. and 28th. All seats sold, except a few Stalls at 7 and Boxes at P.42 and cap for SECOND CYCLE ONLY. OMEDY, (Whl. 25T8.I EVENINGS, at 8.30.

THE BEGGAR'S OPERA. Mata. TUESDAY and 'SATURDAY. 2.30. EROURY, 2, Hotting HIU Oate.

Park 10O0. TO-Nirmr at iilift club performance. The Descent of Rebe. Recamlcr Cricket. The Lady of Shalott.

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to 6s. Din allllf 1 nvimaaV sith HARXOVl ROBERT HELPUANN. HAROLD TURNER. Wed 8. EUQENt 0NEOIN.

8. DIE FLEDERMAUS. 8. THE TRAVELLING COMPANION. 2.30.

THE 5N0W Maiden, a. tossa. THEATRES. DELPHI. B.SO.

Thurs. and Clifford Whitley present STOP PRESS. Produced by Haasard Short. ITEM. 761 ALDWVOH.

8.30. Temrjle Sar 6404. WED. SAT. UON.

APL, 22. 2.30. THE DOMINANT 8 EX. By MICHAEL EG AN. RICHARD BIRD.

DIANA CHURCHILL. ELLEN POLLOCK. HENRY HEWITT. AN INSTANT UPROARIOUS SUCCESS." IS. Pott A MEASSADORS.

(Tem 1171.) Dally (ex. Thura.l, at 2.30. j-a. jsvei Evenings at 8.30 i except Mem. Frl.

I. RII CHARD AINLEY and MARIE NEY. IVKhTMAN. POLLO. (Oct.

2663.) 8.30. Wed. It 2.30 HYDE PARK CORNER. By Walter Hackett. MARION LORNE OODPREY TXARLE.

UUHU 3RDON BARKER: J. H. ROBERTS. ARTS THEATRE 0LUB. Near Lelcesler-Mi Tu Sunday next, April 14th.

at 3.15 p.m. ARTS THEATRE CELEBRITY OONOERT. ALBERT SAMMONS. ROBERT EASTON. GERALD UOORE.

Associate Membership 10s. per annum. Particulars, Secretary, 6. Ot. Newport-street.

TEMple Bar 7541. SAMBRIDQE. 8:30. 2.30. Tern.

6056. "THE REEKS HAD A WORD FOR IT." Angela Baddeley. Hermlone Baddeley, Margaret Rawllngs. Special Matlr.es EASTER MONDAY. The Merriest Show now In London." ALT'S.

Oer. 215T. 8.30. 2 LOVE AND LET LOVE." A Farce In 3 acts. PETER KAODON CLAIRE LUCE.

MARTIN WALKER. DUCHESS. Catherine-street. W.C.2. Ttm 8.30.

it EASTER MON Bar 8243. 2.30. RALPH RICHARDSON in CORNELIUS by J. B. PRIESTLEY VICTORIA HOPPER James Harcourt.

Ann Wilton. Harcourt Williams. The Play produced by BASIL DEAN. J. B.

PRIESTLEY'S NEW TRIUMPH." Daily Mirror. "I lUKE OP YORK'S. TEM. 5122. Tuesday next, al 8.30.

First Matinee. April 13. 2.30. AND A WOMAN PA88ED BY." By VERNON 8YLVAINE. ION SWINLEY.

VMBASSY. Prl. 2211. EVOS. a.15.

Manna wttn in 4J STEVE OERAY UIB UUUMT." A NEW REVUE. O.AI8TY. (Tem. 6991.) 8.30. 2.30.

JACK O'DIAMQNDS. New Musical Comedy. HERE 18 WHAT THE PUBLIC WANTS FOR A MERRY EVENING." D. Mail. a ARRICIC Temple Bar 8713.

Evenings svt 8 .50. WENDY BtTiTiKR In LOVE ON THE DOLE." MATINEES WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY. 2.30. Most boiaterons and prolonged applause." E. Stand.

LOSE, Shafteabi S.30. lury-av. OWEN NARES. ADELE DIXON. KAY HAMMOND In YOUTH AT THE HELM.

By HUBERT ORIPPTTH. AN UPROARIOUSLY FUNNY PLAY." Soenlnp ft'etoj. A BRILLIANT LIGHT COMEDY." Daffy Telegraph. 8.30: 2.30. JJAYHARKET.

(Whl. 9832.) BARNET'S FOLLY. BY JAN STEWER. MURIEL AXED. MAY AGATE.

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MADAM? Vera Pearca. Wylle Watson. Bertha Belmore. etc. HIS MAJESTY'S.

at S.13. (Whitehall 6606.) 2.30. GEORGE ROBEY as FalstafT in KINQ HENRY IV. (Part One). Special reduced prices for School Parties.

INO'S (Rlv. 3911). NIGHTLY, at 8. WITH PULL WEST END OOMPANY. Thursday, at 2.30.

Prices. 7d. to 6. TI1B BWHUUW MAS, KIN OS WAY. (HoL 4032.) 8.15.

YOUNO ENGLAND. THE PLAY OP A LIFETIME." Dally Mall. ITTLE. Tem. 6501.

People's Nat. Th. Production. Evenings. 8.15.

Wed. and 2.30. LADY PREOldUS STREAM. NO LOVELIER TBTMO IN LONDON." Morning Post. -VTEW.

(Tern. S87B.1 8.30. Bat. 2.30. XT EDITH KVANS.

JEAN CAD ELL, MARY JERROLD, in THE OLD LADIE8, taw Rodnev Acklsvnd Adapted from the Novel by Hugh Walpoli Produced by JOHN OIElLOtrD. e. VIO. (Bop, 3424.) Prices 6d. to 5b.

6d. Kvoa. texe. b. wea.

dc LAST WEEK of HENRY IV. Part 2. Maurice Xvuu, Vivienne Bennett, Cecil TTOimcer. Abnbm Softer, Morlaad Ormham. Alan Webb.

Leo Oeorge Merrttt. Bucna, Bent. NATIONAL THEATRE. at LITTLE THEATRE, niv pmm ONE-ACT PLAYS. 1 Star -Cast, ibllo performances.

Mon. at 9 pH I0KNIX. 8.50. 2.50. Tem.

E. 8611. UXaULH UUU1BWA1T in FAMILY AFFAIRS. A New Comedy by Gertrude Jennings. QERRARD 4506.

8. THURS 2.30. JtT EVENINGS. UiimsiM T.ANC1 BEATRIX THOMSON. THERE O0 ALL OP UB1 Matheaon Lang held us entranced.

Newt Chronicle. JT3LAYH0USE. Whl. 777. Lessee.

Leon M. Lion. THE GALSWORTHY FESTIVAL JU8T1CE. ARTHUR WOKTNER. MALCOLM KEEN.

OWEN FPRANOOON-DAVIES. STEPHEN HAGGARD. LEON M. LION. OPENTNO APRIL 11.

8.30. May 2, FOR 3 WEEKS ONLY. Wed. and 2.30. THE SKIN GAME.

Tem. Bar 3633. 2.30. At 8.30. Wed.

nalHOIL Hhaftaahurv-ave. Ben Jonaon'a Immortal Comedy, THI ALCHEMIST. Hugh Miller. Iris Hoey. Austin Trevor.

John PewTell. SMIEEH'S. Qerrard 4517 it 8. Easter 2.3U. B.SO.

THS WIND AND THE RAIN. tO.VBOWS LONGEST HUN. VB- CELIA JOHNSON. ROBERT HARRIS. Directed by AURIOL LEE.

THE PE COMEDY. The Star. THIS ENC MOST PLEJ EVENING I HAVE SPENT IN THE THEATRE FOR 3MB TiaflJS. Mirror. OYALTY.

(Oer. 7531.1 8.30. Fnni wind. by RICHARD PRYOE. based on Richard Oke's Novel.

I COULD AND WILL SHE IT AOAIN. I RECOMMEND IT TO ALL PUVOOEBS." Sydney W. Carroll. Do. Teleorapfc.

Mnrcn 28 ST. MARTIN'S. EVOS. 8.30. MAN Tem.

Bar 1443 1444. TUES. Al 2.30. MATS OF YESTERDAY. LESLIE BANKS.

ANN TODD. PIT LIND. C. V. PRANCE.

AUDIENCE SPELLBOUND WITH ITS POIGNANCY AND ITS DISPLAY OP DEEP HU AN FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS." Star. A CHALLENGING PLAY, TOLD WITH A 8 ESSE OP DRAMA. ENLIVENED BY HUMOUR Doilv Mail. I POUND MYSELF GRIPPED THROUGHOUT BY THIS TENSE PIECE." D. Herald A HUMAN DOCUMENT TENSE.

POIGNANT. AND CHARGED WITH EMOTION." Dai Sketch. THE CURTAIN CAME DOWN TO A ROAR OF APPLAUSE." Daily Telegraph. A CLEVER, APPEALING. ENTERTAINING COMEDY." Afornlng Post.

"SUPREMELY WELL OAgT." Xevjt-Chron. Tem. 4011. 8.15. 2 ARTHUR RISCOE.

.30. FRANCES DAY. C11VILLE. JILL, DARLING! A NEW MUSICAL OOMETJY. LOUISE BROWNE.

JOHN MILLS. VIOLA TREE. SAVOY. Evenings. Temple Bar 8B88 1.

30. 8.30. THURS HAHE WRIGHT in THE AUNT OF ENGLAND The Jubilee Year Play t- a a- nasi a STRATFORD-UPON-AVON. APL FESTIVAL, 1SJS. Nightly, a.

2.30 Details rrom W. Bavery. 87. Ldn. W.l.

Reg. 0781. (THEATRES aontlnusd pass IS.) (PICTURE THEATRES ajld VARIETIES pass 37. BY WEEK. The Jubilee ProcesaloM.

One point tbBinmg ceremonials should be singled out. ministers are indisputably lihfe decision that the processions qi xay uuu ue generous spectacles. It is an occa- vni4a cVirtiilz-l sion on rue ii 'uawam gratified by the; fullest panoply. The people, in ottering nuww their will rejoice in all the evi dence of Imperial greatness mat nistory and geography can present in the symbols of colour and ritual. It is not often that we give ourselves to these forms 01 seu-expression.

But there should be no reserve in the honours tendered to such a landmark as the Silver Jubilee. Debate on Planning. Unfettered debate is not too common, and the discussion of Planning in the House of Commons last week was a refreshing ovcontion. It was enlivened by a maiden speech of high quality from Mr. AsshetcJn, who deployed tne iuu lk aui individualism that has counted so much in economic progress.

What over-hariga the whole argument is that vicious circle of under-consumpuu aim unemployment on which Sir Herbert Samuel laid emphasis. Poverty in the midst of Plenty is wnat cnauenges au QUIT phi lOSOP" IfiSa Can it be met without Some Tallica I Ucllsal tuic au kuuugm mis habit? One Document and Another. rivil servants in India are entitled to the fullest protectioh during the change-over to the new uonsuiuuon. rarucuariy gal, where agitation has been deeply com- promised Wlin crime, me cuiuagcuua r1 formance of their duty in the past may easily make them targets of political ani-mnsitv. None can doubt that, after reading the memorial of their Association published yesterday.

Their case should not be prejudiced any mind by the other extraordinary document whose exploitation wasted a great deal of time in the House of Commons on Friday. Critics of the Government gave themselves away Badly in laying weight on that production. A child might have perceived how remote it was from the" standards of the service language, thought, or feeling. Mr. Eden's Week.

The first phase of the British exploratory journeys in Europe was completed on Friday night, when Mr. Eden arrived in London. He left Moscow just before midnight last Sunday, reached Warsaw at midday on Monday, conversed with Marshal PrLStrosia and Colonel Beck till Wednesday -afternoon, and arrived in Prague on Thursday morning: Afteraong morin vwitte DR-Benesh, he left by air in an attempt 'to reach London that same A hundred miles of snow squalls," severe air-sickness and the prospect of worse, forced him down at Cologne, where he spent the night He finished the journey on Friday by train and boat. The Moscow Contribution. The important result of Mr.

Eden's talks with Mr. Stalin, Mr. Molotov, and Mr. LrrvrNpv was chronicled in an official statement issued on Sunday night. While disclaiming any intention to isolate or encircle any State, they formulated the common view that European peace demanded "a system of collective security" coriforming with the principles of the League of Nations." They established a full com munity of interest between the two Gov ernments.

Russia explained the importance to her of the Eastern Pact, inclusive of Germany and Poland. She interpreted its essential value as the provision of armed assistance for a victim of aggression. A German Sidelight. It became concurrently known from Berlin that Gerrnan policy, while rejecting the principle of assistance to the victim of aggression, wawWfe to undertake not to assist the aggressor. Nonassjtstance to the aggressor became the bitter jest of the week.

Warsaw and Security. Wednesday revealed a series of swiftly-moving circumstances. The Warsaw statement issued that morning was negative in its content, though cordial in its tone. It was common knowledge that Poland had reaffirmed her refusal to enter an Eastern Pact of mutual assistance. On the same day Sir John Simon revealed that Herr Hitler had admitted Germany's achievement of parity with Britain in the air.

France announced the retention of conscripts due for release this month, with the resultant increase of her effectives from 400,000 to 500,000. Austria officially announced her assumption that equality, conscription, and an increased army could not be denied her. Czecho-Slovak Policy. Czecho-Slovakia, situated in the very midst of Europe, contiguous alike to Germanv, Poland, Hungary, and Austria, must needs call loudest for security. The Prague communication issued on Thursday noted the perfect identity of the aims and policy of the two Governments." Dr.

Benesh explained the vital import to the Little Entente of the collective system and of the League of Nations, and the essential dependence of the Austrian upon the Eastern Pact. He did not conceal his anxiety about Germany on the one hand and Poland on the other. The UpBhot. The exploratory process began with the Anglo-French proposal of February 3. The basis of that proposal being menaced bv Germany's unilateral action of March 16.

the Simon-Eden tour of the European capitals was designed to discover whether the proposal could be further discussed. The material thus made available will be examined at Stresa next Thursday. With the Stresa issues we deal elsewhere. RETURN. FOREIGN POLICY.

OR ADHESION. THEIR REAL BASES. GARVIN.) tion. Ministers last week confessed to havins cherished a remarkable delusion regarding relative- air-strength. They supposed that for achieving our intended auautv witn anv nation witmn range we had mare margin and more time than are how found to exist.

biR John oimon nad to tell the House of Commons last week that, according to Herr Hitler's candid information in Berlin, the new Reich has already attained Air Parity with Britain in the strict military sense. This, course, is an understatement of the case. On this side of the. Atlantic Germany is supreme in. civil fly ing; and the convertibility of that service gives her a vast increment of strength in respect of personnel, machines and manufacturing activity.

It is improbable that our efforts, however augmented and accelerated, as they must be will now enable us to create the real parity to which the National Government is thrice pledged. III. WHAT TO DO NUDISM AND DEFENCE. This is the uicture of European moves and counter-moves, and of a relative British position much more unsatisfactory on the whole than this country nas ever Deiore occupied. Retrospective recrimination, whether with regard to our own past policy or to that of any other country, is useless for any practical purpose and worse than useless for.

every moral purpose. Taking a level estimate of things as they are, the business of statesmanship and of the nation is to see how we may make the best of them or choose the least evil. Thus we are brought to the different alternatives before national" policy. What are. the various courses possible or at least J.

hey would seem, broadly, to ip ahont fmir in number- First, is Cood Mr. Lansbtjry's idea of benevolent Nudism in defence. Second, is the creed of Isola tion from all Continental commitments whether in nearer or further Europe, whether in the name of the League or Locarno, or in any other connection. Third, is the conceDtion of an intermediate course, akin to the Locarno precedent, and essentially derjendine on the assumption of strictly guarded arrangements anq. or limited liability.

Fourth, and last, there are the larger ideas concerning Collective Security more or less extensive and more or less complete. First Nudism, or Defehcelessness. This theory needs a moment's attention because an ethical fervour inspires its ecstasy of suicide. To begin with, the Empire would be automatically dissolved. since there could be no defence or any part of it.

All the predatory ambitions in the world would be incited at its expense. In the home seas there would be no protection for shipping, food-supply, or raw materials any more than, for the crowded lives beneath the foreieh air-fleets. Surrender to any demand would be our only means of averting apocalyptic destruction. Britain was." We would, of course, have civil war if no other war. Incidentally the warning of our example would wipe democracy out of the world.

IV. ISOLATION" AND NEMESIS. SeconrJ. Isolation. Total severance from Europe and from all concern with the fate of our.

neighbours is a proposition undoubtedly as suicidal as the former: but it demands scrutiny because of the fairly, widespread impressioh that there is something in it. Whatever happens on the Con tinent, why should we ever again mix with its quarrels? By refusing to do this can we not ensure our own Peace and Safety even should European peoples rage furiously together jj or this course to be possible we snouid nave nad to follow a line clean con trary to the policy we have pursued. Our one-sided disarmament after War began with the sacrifice of our the Air supremacy one of the hugest blunders in all history. For practicable isolation, we snouid nave nad to maintain preponderat ins armaments, with an air standard. corresponding to the old naval standard, at least two to one against any Power within range.

So much for what might have been. But we have to reckon plainly with what is. A great country has allowed itself to become seventh in the air, and for some years at least will remain incapable of independent defence. For a belated attempt at impotent isolation there is nothing to be said. It would mean not Peace and Safety.

No, but War and Doom in an epoch when air squadrons making two hundred miles an hour can sweep across the Channel as swiftly as over any land frontier. Morally, is John Bull's diplomatic refrain to be an adaptation of the Miller of the Dee: I'm true to nobody, no not and nobody's true to Under the conditions we have described neither a Labour Government nor any other could undertake the appalling responsibility of attempted detachment. That man became detached who sawed off the high branch on which he sat. of of I 6th )6 Net EDITION Of all Booksellers AND STOUGHTON HODDER ST. DUNSTAN'S SERVICE for JUBILEE SEATS MAY 6th 2 to 6 gns.

in Ltulgate Hill (Chair Seats. Refreshments. Broadcast of Service.) THE DERBY JUNE 5th joj- inclusive service NAVAL REVIEW JULY i6th Apply 8, Lower Regent S.W.i (Whitehall 8772) LONDON, SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 1935. THRONE AND EMPIRE. MEMORY AND THANKSGIVING.

The full anticipations that have appeared of the manner of celebrating the Silver Jubilee are now superseded by the publication of the official programme. Its moving pageantry will quicken all the associations that invest the festival. Their Majesties will attend the Thanksgiving Service in the full state befitting such an occasion when the boast of heraldry and the pomp of power make their obeisance in humility and gratitude to the Unseen. They will be attended by representatives of their diversified Empire, and by detachments of the Forces that defend it. At every step of their progress they will receive the acclaim of a people bound to them in love and memory.

The Silver Jubilee is the consummation of an era that has subjected our national endurance to the most rigorous tests. For the greater part of Hrs Majesty's reign the spirit and resources of his kingdom have borne the incessant strain of effort and sacrifice. The four and a half years of war made ravage of its manhood and wealth, tried its spirit in the fire, and transformed the whole pattern of its life. In the sixteen years that followed, the ordeals of economic and social adjustment to a new world-order have been, if less dramatic, not less searching in the dull pain of their incidence. They have been years of proof.

Their exactions are not ended. But we face what remains of the issue with a self-reliance that has not been shaken, and with a thankful consciousness of all from which we have been delivered. It is hard even for the most imaginative to realise what would have been meant by defeat in war, by the disruption of a delicately organised Empire and economic system, by the crashing of a highly developed social life and its amenities. For surmounting the hazard of such extremities we have to thank the inspiration of pur history, the tenacity bequeathed by our fathers and the stability of the insti tutions that they created. A consciousness of all these obligations is present in the honour that we pay to the Silver Jubilee, The Throne is the symbol that most power fully evokes all the emotions of this inter lude of self-recollection.

A monarchy whose function is pre-eminently that of social service knits to itself every fibre of patriotic democracy. And in a King and Queen whose command of their people's devotion is rooted in their own staunchness to every duty the lustre of their great office vindicates itself as well to the future as to the past. THE BATTLE OF THE BOATS. Is the unshakable hold of the Boat Race on the affectionate interest of everybody a mere eccentricity? It does draw upon that primitive passion for taking sides which filled ancient Byzantium with Blues and Greens and diverts the modern nursery with Oranges and Lemons." But it takes more than that to make a twenty-minutes' struggle an event of the year, to clothe it with the traditions of a century, and to render its outcome the breathless concern of every age and class. What, then, is the secret or one thing, the imagination is made busy, for few can see more than a moment of the race, and the rest has to be figured in the mind's eye.

Imagination gives consecration, and what mental picture could receive it more responsively than the tense rivalry of physically perfect youth stretched for miles between the excited banks of London's broad river? The sense of utmost is the abiding key of the spell. We admire the strength underlying a long string of victories like both sides in their turn have enjoyed, or we range ourselves in sympathy with those undaunted by monotonous defeat and (like Oxford and her Scholar Gipsy), still nursing the unconquerable hope." But the relish of either partisanship lies in the combatants expenditure of their complete selves at the dictation of their equally unyielding wills. That is the very salt of lire and the ecstasy of spectacle. is ISOLATION" PEACE AND SAFETY (By J. L.

Our democratic scene presents a pretty' picture of dissensions by comparison with the iron unification of the new Reich under the Nazi system. One compensation that despite the welter of verbiage we shall all be compelled very soon to look facts in the face. No one needs to be. told that the present phase is crucial and fateful for the future of defence and foreign policy. These things are inseparable from each other; as are both from the conditions of confidence, business and employment.

These issues go right down to our foundations. By what is settled or evaded in the next phase the fortunes of this country and the Empire may be finally determined some few years hence. This sizeable truth must be kept always in rnind. With the Lord Privy Seal's enlightening reports in its hands the British Cabinet has to consider not only its. usual question, What to say," but the more penetrating query; What to do." It is our own duty to summarise shortly what happened last week; and then to examine the choice of courses now unmistakably before the country.

I. MAGIC CARPET BUT NO MAGIC WAND. Mr. Anthony Eden himself, by his bear ing and aoimy, won golden opinions wherever he appeared on the unique flying tour, which jlhsraeli would have likened to the magic carpet in real life. Otherwise there was no maeic except in the carrot The young Lord Privy Seal made friendly contacts and acquired a deeper insight into European differences.

But no immediate basis for European agreement was to be found. In Moscow, particularly, the fullest cordiality and frankness made the British visit as agreeable as instructive. Mr. Stalin himself reinforced the cogent argument that European peace hangs together and cannot by any means be preserved in the west if it is disturbed in the centre or the east. Mutual assistance to deter aggression remains the fundamental idea at Moscow; and the Russians see no effective substitute for ensuring the solidity of peace.

At the same time, they left no doubt that their first interest is necessarily Peace itself. Nothing could be farther from that interest than any aggressive attack on Ger many such as the proposed general Pact itself would exclude. At Prague, on behalf of the Little Entente as well as Czecho-Slovakia, Dr. Benesh repeated the view that complete mutual guarantees ot tne status quo in Central and Eastern Europe are indis pensable to the best prospects of general peace. But that view was rejected in Warsaw where Mr.

Eden's personal reception was most courteous and useful. Under her present engagements and for other reasons Poland will not bind herself in advance to joint-action against Germany in any circumstances whatever. Especially, Marshal Pilsudski will not offer lines of march across his country to Bolshevist armies. The ruling fact, in addition to the refusal at Warsaw, is that Germany own objec tions are fixed and insuperable. Any system of Mutual Assistance involving in effect a guarantee of the status quo in Central and Eastern Europe would be clean contrary to every principle that the Fuhrer has declared and to every dream he lias cnensnea.

II. "FUNDAMENTAL FACTS." With Mr. Eden's return, therefore, the British Government has to envisage some uncomiortabie certainties. First, the project of an Eastern Locarno is dead, since Germany will not enter into any thorough system of security for that side of Europe any more than for the centre- Second, the bottom is knocked out of the proposal as hitherto conceived for a Ten Years' Peace or similar contract for a shorter term based on the territorial status quo, which cannot be broken in the next few years without war. Third, the Nazi Reich is already further on the way to the restoration of Germany's former armed ascendancy than our own Government had supposed.

The speedy rise of that process to a decisive predominance over any other single nation in Europe cannot now be prevented by any means. What follows? A fourth certainty eauallv outside our control; and it is this that other nations who feel their security lessened by these realities of diplomacy and arms will enter into larger and closer arrangements for their concerted defence in emergency. With these conditions, one concrete fact of great moment must be instanced as touching most nearly Britain's own posi- Third. Minimum Liability." This proposition is no longer so simple as at the ditions arenrofoundly altered. By the rise the Nazi Reich the former contingency favour of a- defence less Germanv is excluded.

On the other hand, our interest in preserving the in tegrity of France and Belgium is stronger than ever. Were the opposite shores of the home seas in hostile hands, then, under the interacting maritime hd flying conditions nf trurlav no nnssible security COuld exist for the communications, supplies or life of this country. But here, especially, we must look unnleasant truth in the eyes; ana dis miss some lingering conceits of insularity. We are sworn on paper to defend France and Belcriuiii acrainst aecression. In fact we do not possess tne degree 01 air-power nor anything like it required to make that guarantee adequate to our word or sum- cient tor tne purpose.

There is some tendency to crabf France. It is a dangerous habit. There is a beam in our own eye as well as a mote in hers. Foreign nations do not take more favourable view of our virtue and wisdom than we take of theirs. While we are seventh in the air and cannot possess detached security, the frequent question whether we should stand by ifTance is assuredly not more crucial than -the coun ter-Question whether she shall stand bv us.

It is not she who possesses most of the former German colonies. The British Cabinet, like everyone else, is perfectly well aware that Berlin desires nothing so much as a separate agreement with. fans. There is a standing offer in that sense. It is urged every day.

Driving France into the arms ot Germany would leave this country without chance of escape or mercy. No British Government dare risk that hnis. It comes to this that, as between Britain on the one side and France with Belgium on the other, our rninimum liability," if it came into operation at all could not in fact mean limited liability, as some might be tempted to suppose. We cannot again in any circumstances send millions or loot-soldiers across the near seas. Otherwise, in the air-age, our whole existence would have to be fully staked if we staked anything.

yi. 1 COLLECTIVE SECURITY' THE CRUX. AND Finally, France, though still hoping that British support WlU become more definite and equipped, can by no means anord to place her sole reliance upon it bhe is far from taking the insular view that she is more dependent on us than are we on her. According to their own judgment of. what peace and safety necessitate, France, Italy, Russia, the Little Entente, and some other countries are de cided, whether we like it or not, to concert wider precautions; The central and dominant European fact of re-armed pan- Germanism leaves them no option.

We cannot dictate with regard to it. Since our total Isolation from those wider arrangements is. not feasible, what is our position to be? That is thl question. Fourth. Collective Security," -Here then National Government is brought to the crux.

From the special Cabinet meeting to-morrow nothing like fundamental decision can be expected, but Ministers will be forced to realise earnestly that it cannot be postponed long. For diplomatic events will not cease to move. This week's development will be the Stresa Conference of Signor Mussolini with the representatives of Britain and France. Since it is assembled by the Duce as head of his Government, we still hope that it may be attended with full weight by Mr. Ramsay MacDonald as head of our Government.

For the Stresa meeting will be ot momentous importance. oignor mussoltni wastes no breath on 'conventional verbiage; and nothing but good can come from his trenchant directness concerning realities and alternatives as he sees them. He is no heedless Germahophobe, however firmly -resolved to maintain the genuine independence of Austria. For that question and no other will become sooner or later the touchstone of Europe. After Stresa, discussions with Germanv will have to be resumed on a new basis, and it win.

men De tne duty ot tne British Government to communicate its own views at Berlin with as much frankness and clearness as Herr Hitler used in stating his own. Meanwhile, Mr. Eden upon his return has summed up his impressions in terms worthy in every way of his mission and its responsibilities; terms not less sound in sense because true in honour. He declares emphatically for a foreign policy that shall be unswerving and courageous in support of the ideals of the League of Nations and of a collective peace-system. He thinks it not impossible to bring both Germany and Poland into such a system.

If so, it will be better than well If not, other nations, as we have shown, will bring into being some wine ojatcni mr ineir own collective security. And British policy will then have to choose between shifting sands and bedrock. There is no immediate peril of a European eruption. There is time, though not too much time, to think out the issue But the question to be thought out is what are indeed to be the surest common guarantees of Peace and Safety and what we are to contribute to them. be A.