FOREIGN AFFAIRS

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 103, 3 May 1935, Page 7

FOREIGN AFFAIRS

BRITISH POLICY.

COMMONS DEBATE. Long-awaited Statement by Mr. Mac Donald. BRITAIN AND CAUSE OF PEACE. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 2. The eagerly-awaited debate on foreign affairs in the House of Commons was notable for the firm declaration of British policy by the Prime Minister. "That policy," ho declared, "is not aimed at military alliances, but at the widest possible co-operation. Every other nation will be welcomed. This free companionship of outlook—l say this with great conviction and considerable intimacy of knowledge—has chances of appeasement as well as palpable dangers, and it is the constant care of Britain to help on the chances that must come from negotiated agreements without disturbance to the peace of Europe or the world." Mr. Mac Donald made an earnest plea for German co-operation in the maintenance of peace and limitation of armaments, especially in the air. Tracing events since February 3. the Prime Minister recalled the London declaration of that date, and stated that one of the objects that the negotiations contemplated was freely to negotiate an armaments pact with Germany and other Powers to take the place of the military clauses in the Versailles Treaty. If that could be done successfully, the greater part of the immediate European dangers would disappear. Moving Away from Versailles. Clearly the London declaration indicated that they were moving away from the Versailles regime and were entering upon a European relationship based upon free negotiations fbr security and of armed strength.

On February 3 Governments like their own, which had begun patiently to reestablish good will in Eur ope, had good cause for feeling that the prospects were improving and when, shortly afterwards, Germany accepted the declaration, at any rate as a basis for discussion, their hope was strengthened.

It was greatly to be deplored that at that moment the German Government had announced its intention to impose conscription and take immediate steps to raise the peace strength to 550,000, as well as to create a military Air Force.

While, the historian must deal with tho trend of events, the politician had to face the actual situation practically and objectively, and, one hoped, with calm common sense. The politician had to decide between abandoning an attempt to build up on general confidence a peace system in Europe or looking for refuge in those combinations of sheer force which had never yet saved him from war, and never would.

Hitler's Peace Promises. When they considered the future it was as well to know that Herr Hitler had said that though he would sign nothing which he felt he could not carry out, yet if he gave an undertaking he would never break it. Be it also noted that Herr Hitler has publicly declared the readiness and determination of the German Government to accept both the spirit and letter of the Locarno pact.

The declaration of February 3 gave general satisfaction all over Europe because It promised the beginning of a sound European settlement. Nothing had been done at Stresa which changed that declaration. Indeed, the text of the Stresa conclusions reaffirmed, point after point, the London communique, and it was important that this be emphasised.

The London declaration made proposals f<*r the ending of certain Central and Eastern European fears and unsettlement by a system of non-interfer-ence and mutual security pacts. Britain was not directly affected' by those proposals, but looked upon them, or any variation of them that might be made in order to secure the desired result, with a friendly eye, and its advice, wherever that seemed welcome or useful, was that negotiations should be put through with the idea of producing something really effective.

Italy Proposes a Conference. In regard to Central Europe, the Italian Government proposed to convoke a meeting of Governments concerned, including Germany, to discuss a scheme. The British Government would not be represented at Rome by a delegation because it was well understood that they were not undertaking any new commitments in this regard, but they would be represented by an observer so that they might be kept in the closest touch with the course of discussions and could contribute in any way that seemed to them useful and proper.

As regards Eastern Europe, Germany was especially able to make a valuable contribution to the system of security in that region.

EMPIRE PREMIERS. FOREIGN AFFAIRS TALK. (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, May 2. Mr. Mac Donald and tho British Ministers and the Dominion Prime Ministers will reassemble to discuss foreign affairs on May 7.