SIR ANDREW RUSSELL.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18571, 22 December 1925, Page 9

SIR ANDREW RUSSELL.

a INTERNATIONAL QUESTIONS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION TEIJEGBAIO AUCKLAND, December 21. Major-Generai Sir Andrew -Russell, who with Lady Russell returned T>y the Aorangi from an eighteen months' trip abroad, said that the Dawes plan had achieved its two prime objects, firstly, tha removal of reparation from the political arena, and secondly, the establishment of sound economic conditions in Germany. "Owing to the downward rush ot the paper mark, Germany appeared to be on the brink of an economic and social upheaval. The Dawes scheme saved her. Only time would .show how far tho scheme would effect its secondary object, namely, the actual payment of Germany's war debt to the Allies. The Locarno Pact, at the expense of involving the Empire in European affairs, whether willingly or otherwise., and rendeiing us liable to assist the aggrieved party with armed force, was a very real step on the rend to peace., But far more important to the future welfare of Europe was the fact that, with its signing, Germany was again admitted as a member of the European family on terms of equality and her destinv linked with that of European civilisation." A subject of importance to Australia and New Zealand, said Sir Andrew, was the dispute with the Turkish Republic, because the nation which controlled Mesopotamia controlled the land and air routes to these outposts of the British Empire. It was iniportar> that these routes should run through countries with a secure and stable Government. Surrender to the claims of. theTurkish Republic, which ha'l refused to accept the ruling of the League of Nations, would be a severe blow at the prestige of both the League and the British EmpVc.