MAKING PEACE TREATIES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24983, 18 September 1946, Page 7

MAKING PEACE TREATIES

BIGGEST PROBLEMS TO COME WARNING BY GENERAL SMUTS LONDON, September 16. Discussing reasons for the widespread disappointment with the “quarrelings and snarlings in Paris,” the South African Prime Minister, General Smuts, in a speech at Aberdeen, issued a warning that the biggest problems of peace-making had not yet been faced. He suggested that too much had been expected of the Paris Conference, which had largely been hamstrung by the Big Four’s decision to carry out their own decisions. The conference had become a debating society. General Smuts said that open meetings meant that the world was • informed, it was not necessarily informed about the things that mattered, but only the things that had news value. He did not blame the newspapers for it, as it was their business. The conference, however, was not all disappointment and friction. “We have been forewarned awakened, and many illusions are being dispelled,” he said. “But economic and social conditions are developing in Germany and central Europe which could settle the future destiny of the Continent. The world will find that the problems in these areas are much more difficult than the minor questions of the peace treaties now being dealt with in Paris.” General Smuts warned that if central Europe drifted socially and economically this might spell ruin. The Germans must be reinstated into the Western system, otherwise there might develop in the heart of Europe a centre of infection which might spread to the rest. Germany must be prevented from again sinning against civilisation, but in inflicting the maximum punishment we must guard against the other extremes developing and endangering Europe’s futureThere must be some hope for a better life in Germany. “The light must be left in the window for the prodigal’s return,” he said. “The British people’s mission is to extend liberty and self-government throughout the world and they are doing so in such abundance that some of their friends are becoming frightened. Some person in America the other day accused us of British imperialism. but he was barking up the wrong tree. British imperialism died in the Boer War.” General Smuts said that bogey of Communism would, 30 years hence, go the way of British imperialism. “I remain full of hope and faith. I do not think that this human race divine is going to founder,” he concluded.

Three Paratroopers Acquitted.—A court-martial has found not guilty three of the 258 paratroopers charged with mutiny. The findings for the remainder will be announced later.— Singapore, September 17.