AS MEDIATOR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 7

AS MEDIATOR.

Britain's Role in European Situation. MINISTERIAL TOURS ABROAD. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) RUGBY, February 26. Whether the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, will go alone or be accompanied by Mr. Anthony Eden has not yet been decided, and much may depend upon whether the visit to Berlin is to be followed by a visit to Moscow, a question which is still under consideration.

"The Times" considers, however, that it may be regarded as practically certain that Sir John Simon will eventually visit Moscow and probably War&aw and Prague as well on his return journey. It states that '"such a comprehensive series of visits is easily justified at an exceptional moment in European history when British influence stands high, and when that influence may possibly be decisively exercised in uniting all countries behind the plan outlined in the Franco-British communique." The "Morning Post" observes that the problem of security in Eastern Europe. which is at present endangered by suspicion between Germany and Russia, is of supreme importance to the Western Powers, and, therefore, is brought within the order of a general European settlement envisaged by the Franco-British communique.

It adds: "Britain, by virtue of its acknowledged detachment, ie peculiarly fitted to dispatch a statesman in the role of mediator between Berlin and Moscow." WELCOMED IN GERMANY. SIR JOHN SIMON'S VISIT. (Received 11 a.m.) BERLIN, February 26. Newspapers generally welcome Sir John Simon's visit. "Borsen Zeitung" says it will not only help to improve relations between Britain and Germany. but will servo world peace.