GENERAL SMUTS'S REMARKS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLI, Issue 9543, 23 June 1921, Page 5

GENERAL SMUTS'S REMARKS.

FRIENDSHIP WITH AMERICA.

General Smuts stated that the South African Parliament had approved his policy with reference to the ConferCWm which he had expounded m Par-

liament. Therefore, he proposed to adhere to that policy ana not break new ground. He advocated increased disarmament. The most fatal mistake would be a competition m armaments against America. Since the war Britain and America had drifted apart. The only pathway to safety foi* the Empire lay alongside America. ueenrai fc>muts said the European situation was no longer of first importance; therefore, they should escape from European entanglements. Undoubtedly the scene had shifted from Europe to the Fax East and the Pacific.

The problem of the Pacific would probably be the greatest during the next fifty years, embracing Australia, New Zealand, Africa Japan, and America. It was m the that the next great chapter m human history would be enacted. The American Senate had already made the first great move by inviting consultation between the* United States, the British .Empire, and Japan, regarding disarmament. The duty of the , Imperial Conference would be to help forward that movement. "If wisely guided," said General Smuts, "this Conference may become one of the greatest landmarks m his-; tory." |