Welsh Journals

from the Sino-Japanese conflict. And it is of interest that there is at present a resolution before the House of Representatives in the name of Mr. Morton Hull, and for some time Senator Capper has been at work in the Senate on a similar reso- lution to complete the mechanism of peace by the one thing which it most lacks-the possibility in war of the ability of the "aggressor" to reckon upon the resources of the United States in com- merce and credits. The key to world security is in Washington. lhe Committee of Nineteen" named by the Special Assembly of the League of Nations in March has not found Japan easier to handle than the Council did. There was a whole month of haggling over the withdrawal of the troops around Shanghai after the cessation of hostilities on the 17th of March. Meanwhile, and at last, the Lytton Commission penetrated into Man- churia with Dr. Wellington Koo, as Chinese assessor, in spite of the ban placed upon him by the puppet Government of the new "republic." If there is no radical change, if Japan persists in denying the League's authority to deal with Manchuria, the question must arise as to whether Japan is to dominate the League or make good her threat to withdraw. Japanese membership carries with it a permanent seat on the Council. There are mandated areas in the Pacific with all that they symbolise in world power. Not only that. It is not generally known that Japan exer- cises an influence over countries in Central Europe like Germany and Poland, an influence derived from the fact that her representative is the rapporteur to the Council on all minority ques- tions. And is not a very distinguished Japanese jurist the head of the Permanent Court of Inter- national Justice at the Hague? All these privi- leges and positions count for something in the mind of Japanese diplomacy not altogether free from a "world power complex." To leave Geneva will not be easy; to stay there may be increas- ingly difficult after the. Assembly's affirmation of "the Stimson doctrine" of non-recognition of territories won by violence of international treaties. No bookshelf dates so quickly and so un- mistakably as the bookshelf devoted to volumes on international questions. Books, absolutely necessary when they were bought, seem, with the passing of time, to represent just so much money wasted. This fate is not likely to be reserved for J. W. Wheeler-Bennett's "Disarmament and Security since Locarno," published at 12/6 by Allen and Unwin. As a source book it has elements of permanent value. The head-teacher of a Secondary School will need a book of this type for the school library. And, of course, no library and no bookshelf on inter- national affairs can afford to be without Sir Arthur Salter's "Recovery," so fascinating in its style and so illuminating in its matter. It is a call, reasoned and persuasive, to a "second effort" at a world economic reconstruction by one who had a large share, after the war, in making the first effort possible. But alas! the itan that was behind the first effort has vanished. "To face the troubles that beset us," are the final words of Sir Arthur's Epilogue, "this apprehen- sive and defensive world needs, above all, the qualities it seems for the moment to have aban- doned--courage and magnanimity." When the Welsh League of Nations Union meets in annual conference at Whitsuntide at Bangor, it will receive the welcome news of its first legacies. There are two of them, both from West Wales. A legacy of £ 200 was left the Welsh National Council by Mr. David Price Thomas, of Gwernogle, Llandyssul the other gift is of £ 20 bequeathed by the late Mrs Mary James, of Glanfferri, Eglwyswrw, in Pembroke- shire. Mrs. Mary James must have been a re- markable old lady. Year by year she used to write me in Welsh in her own frail handwriting, of her anxiety about the progress of the Peace movement and her endeavour to interest her neighbours in the welfare of the Welsh League of Nations Union. She would always enclose her own contribution and a pound or two col- lected from the neighbours. But she begged that no names would be mentioned neither she nor those whom she interested wanted publicity of any kind. Secretaries of dramatic societies throughout the Principality are recommended to write to the Manager, "Welsh Outlook" Press, Newtown, for list of plays suitable for performance. Plays are published by the "Welsh Outlook" in Welsh and English, and deal entirely with Welsh life, manners, and customs. A selection of plays can be sent on approval, if desired. Fees for per- formance are moderate throughout.