A PEACE PILGRIMAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 296, 15 December 1933, Page 6

A PEACE PILGRIMAGE.

A real Christmas errand is to be undertaken by Sir John Simon, the British Foreign Secretary, during the coming week. He will visit the capitals on the Continent in an endeavour to secure some agreement on the question of disarmament. Not only is Sir John the chief Minister of Foreign Affairs; but he is an able lawyer and a persuasive speaker. Even his critics admit that he is second to none when pleading to a brief, and he now holds a brief for bringing the Christmas message of peace and good will home to the distraught nations of Europe. His main endeavour will be to bring about some rapprochement between France and Germany, and for this purpose he will visit both Paris and Berlin, and he will also discuss with Signor Mussolini plans for the reform of the League. He has shown lately a sympathetic understanding of both the French and the German point of view. He will be able to place before both countries the very sincere desire of Britain to assist in coming to' some agreement on the main points in dispute. Britain has always admitted the justice of Germany's claim to equality in arms, but she has taken the view that this did not mean so much the rearmament of 'Germany as the disarmament of other Powers as contemplated in the Treaty of Versailles. France has been the main obstacle in the way of such disarmament, and has desired a probationary period, at first of five years and later of eight, during which armaments should remain as they are. Britain, the United States and Italy have never quite subscribed to this idea of a probationary period, and Sir John may be able to induce France to modify her attitude. Should he do so, he will then be in a position to denfand from Germany that she also refrains from any armament increase contrary to the terms of the Peace Treaty. Hitler has declared his pacific intentions towards France, and it will be for Sir John to. induce him to show his sincerity by responding to any concessions France may make. It is largely a matter of approach and a genuine spirit of good will on both sides. The Christmas message emphasises a spirit of give and take, the spirit of compromise, mutual understanding and will to peace on which the good relations of the nations musi ultimately depend. The same spirit is needed in the League itself. It has become lately too mudh infused with ''the factional strife of differing nationalist aims and ambitions. It needs reform, and Sir John will discuss this during his mission. J