WAR'S CAUSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 8

WAR'S CAUSES.

EFFORT TO REMOVE, MacDONALD'S REPORT Motive of Latest Disarmament Plans. STRONG HOPES OF SUCCESS, (British Official Wireless.) (Received 2.30. p.m.) KUGBY, March 23. The Prime Minister, Mr. Kanisaj MacDonakl, took the first available opportunity of informing the House of Commons of the proceedings during the visits that he and the Foreigr. Secretary, Sir John Simon, recentlj paid to Geneva and Rome. Their colleagues, he said, asked them to go to Geneva because every report showed that there was grave danger of a somewhat immediate collapse of the Disarmament Conference, and they believed that it might be possible tc avert such a collapse. They decided on the production of a plan which would cover the whole field of disarmament and security. He anticipated that the first reaction would be a general opposition to the plan, but that the second reaction, after consideration, would be that everyone would wish to take it as the basis for immediate consideration. He was right regarding the first reaction, and he thought there was a good chance of being right regarding tbe second. Equality to Germany. The British plan contained for the first time figures regarding the various arnie. When the Disarmament Conference resumed it would be upon the figures that the} , had put forward. They were obliged to continue the principles to give equality to Germany. .They had to make it perfectly clear' that the obligations placed on the nations of Europe were to be obligations of honour and responsibility which would be all the more serious, ae they would be undertaken in a voluntary way. But events had happened recently that had enormously increased the ricsk of taking a big step like that at the present moment. Their plun presupposed a transitional stage. Equality itself would not be carried out, but during that stage there would be no rearmament. "We have provided the form in which agreement may be reached," he said. "Europe is very unsettled. It ie in a very nervous condition. Fortunately there is one thing that can save u<s all, and that is a well-founded confidence in each other. That is lacking more today than for a long time. "Events have happened, speeches have been made which naturally and properly have added to that sense of insecurity, and even after we arrived at Geneva 6ome of those events occurred." The Visit to Rome. Referring to the visit to Rome, the Prime Minister said that on arrival short documents were handed to them which showed Signor Mussolini's views regarding an effective policy of collaboration between the four Western Powers to maintain peace in the spirit of the Kellogg Pact and of a "no force" pact which had been contemplated by the Five-Power Conference as return for Germany's getting a declaration in principle of their willingness to give her equality of status, and a declaration that those Powers should not resort to force to try to solve any of their immediate political differences. Signor Mussolini felt that Article 19 of the Covent regarding treaties should not become dormant. There were two sides in Article 19. It said that a treaty once made should be observed and only altered by the consent of both parties. It also said that treaties containing provisions which, in the efflux of time, raised problems which might result in most undesirable conflict ought to be the subject of revision. The plan laid down proposed that cooperation should be carried out within the framework of the League and 10 years was indicated as the first period for a treaty, should it be possible to arrange it. Indications were given that if this conception of co-operation between the Powers was adopted as an immediate aid to peace, the friendship engendered could have further beneficial consequences that would be necessary, and the British Government would work out further details. They expressed themselves ae very much interested in Signor Mussolini's proposal, and promised to study it in all its bearings. They indicated some matters of essential detail for which provision muet be made. For instance, how the smaller States should be consulted. He could give those States an assurance that so far as the conversations were concerned there was no foundation whatever for fears recently expressed. Smaller States had a right to he consulted, wherever their special interests were concerned, and that would be done. The motive of the plan undoubtedly was to remove the causes of war jn Curope, its emphasis being upon the ,eague taking up the responsibility mposed upon it by Article 19 of the ovenant. There were no greater immeiate dangers to Europe than that when the inevitable nationalist revival occurred treaties might be the subject of challenge by one interest and under conditions which would only renew animosity and ruin the prospect of friendly accommodation. "To Remove Dangers." The conversations in Rome amounted to this: That now, when it was perfectly plain to everybody that national life was being revitalised in Europe, the ■four Powers should befo\* they might be driven apart, and try to remove by negotiations the dangers which should have to be met in any event. "I express no opinion, though I entertain strong hopes of the result," said Mr. Mac Donald. The British Government was now trying to devise means of solving what was a problem of the greatest delicacy. The reconsideration of treaties was not enough; other nations must make substantial contributions. He expressed hope that the means of co-operation for which they were searching would be found, and that 'they would be of a nature to commend themselves to the sympathy and of friends beyond the Atlantic.