PACIFIC PACT SUGGESTION

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22111, 5 June 1937, Page 15

PACIFIC PACT SUGGESTION

* UNFAVOURABLE OPINIONS IN LONDON DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS EMPHASISED LONDON, June 3. A note of warning is being sounded against aspects of the Pacific Pact proposal, made by the Prime Minister of Australia (Mr J. A. Lyons). The feeling in well-in-formed quarters here is that a long path towards reconciling conflicting ideas and ideals must be traversed before anything tangible appears on th; horizon. The “Morning Post” expresses a widely-held view in London when it says: “A universal guarantee of non-aggression will not give any greater security to the Powers unless a real desire for peace exists among them. If such a desire existed a pact would scarcely be necessary.” The “Morning Post”' emphasises the particularly complex relations in the Pacific, which is dominated by Japan, and states that it seems extremely unlikely that a new conference would solve a problem which so far has evaded all efforts of diplomacy. There is certainly a better atmosphere in the Far East, which nothing is more calculated to spoil than a gathering of nations all mutually suspicious and each with its own interests to canvass. The “Manchester Guardian,” in a leading article, states: “A Pacific pact is desirable, but the question rather is whether it is practicable. The most obvious difficulty is Manchukuo. There is not the slightest chance of Japan signing a regional pact which does not recognise Manchukuo. Equally, China is unlikely to sign a pact recognising Manchukuo. “Several outstanding disputes remain between Japan and Russia, while the British, Japanese, and United States naval question will not become easier. Australia, which has most to gain and much to fear, might be asked for some concession on migration. It is a dismal catalogue. The only hopeful point is that a strong body of opinion in all the countries concerned would welcome a pact.” The political, correspondent of the Australian Associated Press learns that the United States Ambassador (Mr Robert W. Bingham) has conveyed to Mr Lyons a written invitation from President Boosevelt for Mr Lyons to visit Washington on his way to Australia, but Mr Lyons has expressed regret at his inability to accept. It is believed that President Roosevelt desired to discuss several questions, including Mr Lyons s Pacific Pact proposal. Meanwhile the Imperial Conference has appointed a rub-committee of experts to examine the proposal. It is gathered that the Prime Minister (Mr M. J. Savage) has intimated that New Zealand favours the idea, and is ready to attend a conference.