THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22121, 17 June 1937, Page 13

THE IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

Meetings of Delegates Concluded &7MMARY OF THE PROCEEDINGS FAITH IN THE LEAGUE REAFFIRMED (bbitish ofticiai wibeless.) (Received June 16, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 15. The Imperial Conference terminated this morning, at St. Jamss's Palace, with cordial speeches and handshakes. The customary loyal message was sent to the King, and the delegates were photographed in the gardens of the palace. The summary of the proceedings, which was also issued this morning, states, inter alia: "The delegates are agreed that the first objective of each member of the Commonwealth is the preservation of peace. In the conference's view, differences between nations and adjustments of national need? should be sought by co-operation, joint inquiry, and conciliation, and resort to force should not be made. The delegates declare that the respective armaments of the Empire Governments will never be used for purposes of aggression or any purpose inconsistent with the Covenant of the League of Nations or the Pact of Paris.

"At the same time, impressed with the desirability of strengthening the League by enlarging its membership, they are united in expressing the view that this object should be facilitated by the separation of the Covenant from the Treaties of Peace. They welcome agreements between members of the British Commonwealth and other States contributing to the cause of peace, and not conflicting with the Covenant of the League of Nations. "The Australian proposal for a pact of non-aggression in the Pacific is to be the subjept of further consultation between the governments concerned."

The summary expressed an earnest desire to see as wide a measure of disarmament as possible, but several governments, of which members of the conference were representatives, are bound to adopt such measures of defence as are necessary for their security and the fulfilment of their international obligations.

The representatives also had under review the possibility of evolving confidence and increasing the stability of economic and financial conditions in the world, a process which they considered essential to the prosperity of individual countries as well as to international peace. They declared themselves ready to co-ope-rate with other nations in examining current difficulties, including trade barriers and other obstacles to international trade.

Finally, members asserted that political creeds should prove no obstacle to friendly relations between governments and countries. Nothing, it was stated, would be more damaging to the hopes of international peace than a division—real or apparent—of the world into opposing groups.