The New York herald., 1922-01-01
Old Hatreds Abating. Pas
siOnate Unreas0n Vanish
ing and Trade Revivihg.
NORMAL CONDITION NEAR
Settlement Of Irish. German
and Russian Questions
Hope of Nations.
by SIR PHILIP GIBBs.

by SIR PHILIP GIBBS.
Special Gable to THE NEW YoRK HErArn.
LONDON. Dec 31-The year that is
coming will decide sharply and GER
tainly the future of civilization 1t
win be the one great years history TO
which all the people who follow us
will look back as the beginning OF the
new era out of which they gained
their new measure of happiness or
misery believe with a now born
optimism that Il win be a good year
have already written that In my iudg-
ment, after trying to feel the pulse of
many peoples there is a new state Of
mind novins among them abating
old hatreds and passionate unreason
We have a chance. at least. OF be-
ginning this year well with an actual
settlement Of some of the old uenaces
to peace. with widening areas of good
will and with a prospect Of friendly
arrangements between nations for the
revival Of trade and welfare II is
only chance. because settlements are
still DELAYED as In the case Of ireland
I confess some of tho Irish leaders
have put q severe strain upon English
good viii. which was almost unanimous.
IT IS not onlv question OF rela-
tions between ENGLAND and ireland
which has been raised nv their irrec-
oncilahie attitude hut II makes one
inclined 70 despair Of all human ma
ture and the progress of human so
ciety For II the Irish people were
actually 70 refuse the British offer
of peace and GOOD will and actually
stood out against any association on
equal terms with a federation OF Brit
ish peoples preferring war for a
phrase. for peace with real self-gov-
ernnent and hatred TO friendshin
whatever happens, then It Is useless
for all OF us to expect any improve
ment in the relation between other
nations and all great efforts IKE the
Washington conference. all attempts
to establish a world court Of Justice
or international councils OF peace will
go down before primitive passion and
racial vendetta.
Ireland IL One Test.
ireland is one test whether this new
year will begin that era OF human rea-
son Of which we see a sign and a
( chance. I have been whole heartedly
and emotionally on the side of the
Irish in their desire for setf-govern-
ment. In spite of their methods OF war
fare which I loathed. but ! see moth
ing but pedantic stupidity in sucn
leadership as that Of De Valera and
fanaticism which can only compare
with that Of Lenine. who for the sake
OF an abstract ideal Incompatible with
human nature Itself. was ruthless OF
human life and All agony Indeed
Lenine showed himself more Of a real
list than De Valera. for seeing az last
complete and CHASTITY failure FOR his
theory he has now abandoned COM
munism and announced his retreat
from that system with brutal candor
How at this season Of The year this
Christmastide dedicated 20 the spirit
Of peace and at this time in the
worlds history, when we must have
peace or perish. men like De Valera,
who Is not without nobility and faith
can reject "a fair offer OF Cancellation
and equal partnership with Britain
Is "a sad mystery hard 20 understand
Nevertheless, 7 believe that whatever
happens 70 delay this settlement, it
is 20 70 through MS one Of the promises
Of this new year
cret of Washington The first results
Of the WASHINGTON Conference have
been splendid have already post
poned. II not entirely destroyed. one
great menace OF war. besides reIiov-
ing millions OF working folk from
new burdens Of taxation which would
crush them under frightful competi-
tion In naval armaments But like
!
that this fret step IN world recon-
struction viii not be followed bv
other stems equally important and dee-
perately necessary to our reneral re-
covory That le the really biz chance
% the new vnor. n second stcu IN The
direction Of iand disarmament ard n
new pact Of peace amone tho natiore
preceded and indeed governed by eco
nomlc decisions
Limit tton Of Armament.
Il IS now clear to most thinking
minds that rroat armies and navieg
are maintained NOT for purposes OF
pofnp and glory as in fhc old davs. but
mainly as Insurance ac0i0st fears. rea.
sonable If racial rivalry in commercial
and Industrial supremacy or In
more primitive way Of losing tho
means Of national existence These
fears govern on political arguments
even those of the United States who
has less 60 fear than most other ma
lions OF the world at the present time
u IS, 20 bo quite franf Tho fc1r of
heing cut 1f from The vital neadq Of
national lfo that was hehir5 an tho
argumont of 'hc British rouro 1ta-
suhmorinc Britain H rot 'r-srr-
PORTING 10 our trade routes woro cut
every Engii hman Wa'shma1 and SCOT
would starve 20 death after throa
months The German U-boot war was
unsuccessful as t was it did enor-
nous damaee to our merchandise and
put our home folk on short ratione
u ls therefore reasonable and natural
that we should propose total abolition
If submarine warfare.
D ar