PEACE OF THE WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume 55, Issue 212, 6 September 1924, Page 7

PEACE OF THE WORLD.

HERRIOT'S GREAT SPEECH. DISARMING THE NATIONS. jjacDONALD AND ARBITRATION (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) (Received 1.30 p.m.) GENEVA, September 5. M- Herriofc (Premier of France) said be hoped that one result of this assembly would be to consecrate the principle of arbitration. He declared that the aggressor was tie party which, refused to abide 'by the arbitral award. This assembly, continued M. Herriot, had a moral responsibility to the world Arbitration, security, and disarmament were inseparable from each other. Arbitration, which was necessary for peace, must become a reality, and the loyalty of small nations must be protected. M. Herriot emphasised the need'for upholding justice for all. He endorsed the remarks of JNIr. Ramsay Mac Donald (Prime Minister of Britain), and declared: "All nations are clamouring for peace, bo let us give them peace by international co-operation." He welcomed American co-operation. France was not animated by hatred against Germany. France fought German militarism. France adhered to the covenant, ibut desired to make it a living thing. She aspired to peace by right and dignity. Owing to lier own sufferings she wished to assuage the sufferings of other nations. 31. Herriot concluded: "France is striving for peace. Without arbitration security and disarmament international solidarity is impossible. France joyfully receives any proposals for conciliation, and offers all she can offer. She wants peace, and to that end she hopes the efforts of the League will lead."—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) BRITISH PREMIER'S SPEECH. A MIXED RECEPTION. GERMANY AND LEAGUE. LONDON, September 5. The Geneva correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" states that Mr. MacDonald's speech at the League of Nations Assembly yesterday met with a mixed reception owing to its somewhat negative, conclusion. It is understood that M. Herriot, Premier of France, is urging Mr. MaeDonald to make a second speech before returning to London in order to clear up several points, notably Mr. Mac Donald's allusion to the impossibility of designating an aggressor in a great war until after 50 years. After his speech the British Prime Minister assured UL Herriot that he did not intend this allusion to cover Germany's responsibility in the late war. The correspondent says that 51. Herriot's speech to-day will deal with the i|uestion of Germany's admission to the League, which be will contend nraet not occasion exceptional procedure, but must be strictly in accordance with the League's Covenant. He will argue that the questions of disarmament, the pact of mutual assistance and arbitration cannot be dissociated from one another, and that France's treaties with Czechoslovakia and other States are to be regarded as the strongest defence of European peace. A message from Paris states that Mr. JlacDonald's Geneva speech is severely criticised in influential circles in France, especially Ms references to the difficulty of apportioning the blame in cases of aggression. These are interpreted as referring to the origin of the Great War. It is feared that such reference will encourage Germany in her effort to secure a revision of the clause in the Versailles Treaty blaming her as the cause of the war. "Le Temps"'sums up Mr. Mac Donald's speech as "Disarmament without guarantees, and arbitration without military sanctions."—(A- and N.Z. Cable.) ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. BIG NAVIES MENACE. WASHINGTON, September 5. The spokesman for the United States Administration has authoritatively outlined America's attitude regarding Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald's land disarmament proposals at Geneva. He said that the United States Government regards the question primarily as , a European one. If the European nations could as a preliminary reach an agreeable basis the proposed conference would have definite promise of success. The United States would then willingly aesiat by taking part, as it had done in the London Conference. The speaker went on to say that the Western nations consider naval disarmament to be the paramount issue and land disarmament the secondary issue, because none of them maintain a large standing army. He hinted that Mr. C. E. Hughes, Secretary of State, during Wβ recent visit to Europe, informally discussed the problem with M. Herriot and Mr. Mac Donald. All three agreed that its ultimate settlement revolves round the ability of Britain and France to effect a, practical tonitation of armaments which would nevertheless retain adequate security 'or France.—(A. and N.Z. Cable.)