LEADERS IN REPLY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18633, 6 March 1926, Page 15

LEADERS IN REPLY.

BRITAIN'S HONOUR AT STAKE. (ATTSTEALIIjr AHD 3.J, CABLE ASSOdiTIOS.) (Beceived March sth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. Following Sir Austen. Chamberlain, Mr Karnsay Mac Donald said the Labour Party was disquieted by the circumstances under which the present position had arisen. He eould not imsgine a more unfortunate diplomatic method. The specific goal of the Lo> carno Pact was to get Germany in. Public opinion was that Germany's claims alone were now being consideredi and that the others were being postponed. If they admitted Spain now, it would be only one of a series of increases, and they would go blundering along for ten years, with au indefinitely elected Council. Mr Lloyd George said he thought they should get something more definite from Sir Austen Chamberlain whom he begged not to destroy his Locarno masterpiece. Sir Austen Chamberlain had emphatically refused to give a pledge to vote against Poland or Spain, whether or not Germany protested. Italy and France were pledged to support Poland, while Japan was going with the majority. Britain seemingly would mako that majority. Was she merely going to satisfy the general agreement arrived at! Britain could not take that part, but must express her opinion, because her faith and honour were at stake. Sir Austen Chamberlain had not a free hand, because he had declared his opinion for M. Briand. Sir Austen Chamberlain: I told M. Briand I could not give a pledge. Mr Lloyd, George: But you expressed your view, and did so at Birmingham, so have npt a free hand. Continuing, Mr Lloyd George said he was afraid that the wine of the Locarno Pact was badly corked. THE WAITING POLICY. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received March sth, 8.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. "The Times" says: "The effect of the debate is not such, as to allay completely the general uneasiness. There is really no effective answer to Mr Lloyd George's reminder that the policy of waiting to see what happens at Geneva may be carried too far by a great self-respecting nation. It is not yet quite clear what is going to happen." "Loved "by Nobody." (Received March sth, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, March i. Sir Alfred Mond expressed surprise over the success of German propaganda in England. "We are now," he said, "in the most unfortunate position of quarrelling with our Allies in order to support our former enemies. We would be better occupied in developing our Dominions than putting ourselves up to be shot at by everybody, blamed by everybody, loved by nobody.'' Mr Baldwin In Reply, Mr Baldwin denied absolutely that there was in Cabinet any difference of opinion. Sir Austen Chamberlain's paramount task would be to see that Germany got a seat, Britain could not be the arbitrator of Geneva,'s agenda. Would any definite statement he more likely to help or prejudice Germany's unconditional entrance to the Council P The Ministry believed in a continuity of foreign policy, and had renewed the support to Spain which Mr Lloyd'' George's Ministry gave. Mr Baldwin argued it was a fatal thing for people to begin ranging, themselves on the side of France or Germany. Sir Austen Chamberlain was going to Geneva before these things had gone too far to try to obliterate-them and to reach. a solution acceptable to all. After Sir Austen Chamberlain's recent great service it was puzzling that members could not trust him. to go to Geneva without categorical instructions. He was conyinced that when Sir Austen Chamberlain returned, members would be the first to acknowledge ' that he bad built one more stone into the temple of European peace.v The motion for, adjournment was negatived by 224 votes to 124. BELGIUM AND GERMANY. ■ OEUTBB'S TELEGEAkH.) (Received March sth, 7.30 p.m.) BRUSSELS, March 4. In the Chamber of Representatives during a debate on the foreign budget, and in response to a request to make a definite statement regarding Geneva, M. Van der Veld© expressed the opinion that two nations ought to be represented on the Council, namely Belgium, who already was there, and Poland, who was not yet represented. "It would be shocking," he said, "if Belgium left the Council while Germany entered it, and if we were unable to defend our interests while our neighbours in the east could do so.'' INTERPRETING THE SPEECH. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received March sth, 8.30 p.m.) LONDON, March 4. Apart from the fact that Sir Austen Chamberlain skilfully did not commit himself in the course of his long statement in the Common's, the most significant' fact is that neither he nor Mr Baldwin directly mentioned Poland's admission or non-admission, though several references were made to Spain. It may be stated with a degree of confidence that the explanation is that the British Government is opposed to granting a permanent seat on the Council to Poland immediately, and possibly will remain opposed in the future, but is prepared to acquiesce in vthe admission of Spain immediately in the event of Germany's agreeing. This, at any rate, will be the basis of argument at the preliminary Sunday conversations between Sir Austen.

Chamberlain, M. Briand, Dr. Luther, and Dr. Streseraann. In the event of a deadlock the claims of Spain, Poland, and Brazil will be'referred to a Commission reporting in September. The Press and members ef the House of Commons complah that Sir Austen Chamberlain did not answer the question whether the British delegation intends to insist that the meeting of the Council should be devoted to the solo purpose for which it was convened and no other, but obviously if, the Government policy is as stated above, no answer could be given. The "Daily Express" says that no other interpretation' can be given to Sir Austen Chamberlain's speech than that Spain will be admitted on Monday. The admission of Spain means, later, the admission of all States ranking immediately below the great Powers. The French delegation will consist of M. Briand, Paul, Boncour, and Louchour. • M. Briand yesterday had a conference with M. Nintchitch Noesch. To-day, M. Skryznski arrived at Paris, and will see M. Briand immediately* ■ The German delegation are leaving for Geneva this evening. It is regarded as a certainty in Berlin that the question- Poland's admission will be deferred until September. CHINA WANTS SEAT. (beuteb'B tsuqhahs.) (Received March sth, 8.30 p.m.) GENEVA, March 4. China has formally applied for a permanent seat on the Council of the League. STATUS OF DOMINIONS. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) » LONDON, March 4. The Prime Minister told Mr P. A. Harris (Labour) that there would be ample opportunity at Geneva for discussion' with the Dominion delegates on the question of the constitution of the League Council. j . ANGRY SCENE. j LABOUR MEMBER SUSPENDED. (AUBTBALIAN AND N.Z. CABLB ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, March 4. In the House of Commons, the first question on the business paper caused an angry scene. Mr Neil Maclean (Labour) complained that the Minister's answer relating to pensions was incomplete. He defied the Speaker's order to resume his seat or to leave the Chamber, and was suspended, on the motion of Sir 'William Joynson-Hicks.