PROGRESS IN EUROPE

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 86, 10 January 1928, Page 9

PROGRESS IN EUROPE

INCREASE IN LAST THREE YEARS VALUE OF CONFERENCE AT LOCARNO VIEWS OF BRITISH PRIME MINISTER Mr. Baldwin, speaking at Worcester, said more progress had been made throughout Europe in the last three years than in any equal period since the war. He proceded to refer to the results of the Locarno Conference. BY Telegraph.—press Association. (Copyright.) Rugby, January 8. Speaking at Worcester y’esterday, the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, expressed the view that more progress had been made throughout Europe in the last three years than in any equal period since the war. It was in October, 1925, Mr. Baldwin said, that the greatest step was taken in the conference at Locarno, which brought together France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Great Britain as general guarantors of the existing Western frontier between Germany’ and Belgium and France, and created, for the first time since the war, a feeling of security, without which it was naturally impossible for us to co-operate as we should all desire in the necessary’ work of reconstituting and pacifying Europe. Then, on the other hand, it brought Germany into the League of Nations and marked the definite end of the post-war period. It enabled the Inter-Allied Military Commission in Germany to be withdrawn 12 months ago. “Germany, on ’her part, has shown good faith in carrying out the terms of the Versailles Treaty, and we now have the great co-operation of Germany, and while our relations essential to progress in Europe have so greatly improved with Germany, it has been possible also to increase co-operation with France and Italy. Now the great progressive nations of the West are united in their endeavour to create a peaceful and prosperous Europe.” THE CRISIS IN CHINA. Referring to China, Mr. Baldwin said the British Government was still prepared to revise its treaty with Chifia, providing China was in a position to make a bargain. As to the Shanghai defence force, it was admitted by’ the whole world that it had probably saved the lives of thousands of white people. He hoped in time that it might be possible to withdraw this force, and that they’ might see a united government in China. But that force would not be withdrawn so long as its withdrawal might imperil the lives of British people. BRITAIN’S DEEP INTEREST IN DISARMAMENT. The Prime Minister said he did not think there was any country which had shown more practically how deeply’ and earnestly it felt in the matter of disarmament than had Britain. He declared that the British proposals at the Geneva Naval Conference would have precluded armament competition. He did not know what would be the next practical attempt to be made, but there was nothing in the course pursued by the British Govemment since the war which could lead people to think that when there is anything practical to be done Great Britain will not be in the van of progress.—British Official Wireless.