PEACE MISSION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 168, 12 April 1935, Page 11

PEACE MISSION

Statesmen Gather at Stresa HOPES FOR SUCCESS British Prime Message BY AEROPLANE TO PARIS Mr. MacDonald to Return For Budget Speech z i (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, April 10. It is anticipated in London that the Three-Power Conference, which opens at Villa Rorromeo, on Isola Bella, Stresa, to-morrow, will have completed its business by the weekend, The British Prime Minister, Mr. J. Ramsay MacDonald, who left London by air with Sir John Simon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, this afternoon, hopes to be able io fly back from Stresa in time to hear the Budget speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, but Sir John Simon will proceed to Geneva to attend a special meeting of the League Council. The Prime Minister and Sir John Simon flew in a two-engined service, aeroplane from Hendon to Le Bourget, Paris, this afternoon. There they were jojned by Sir Robert Vansittart, Permanent Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and other members of the British delegation to the Stresa Conference, who had travelled by train and boat. The British Ministers had remained in London this morning to attend the weekly Cabinet meeting, and at its conclusion they proceeded at once to the aerodrome. A south-west gale, registering 50 miles an hour, was blowing when they took their places in the aeroplane, btU a good journey was made. Before leaving the Prime Minister said: “We are starting on our mission of international goodwill and co-opera-tion united with security and peace, f hope with all my heart that we shall be successful. We shall certainly try to be.” POLICY OF BRITAIN Establishing System of Collective Security — » RECENT DEVELOPMENTS (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, April 10. In his statement to the House of Commons regarding the tour of European capitals which he' and Mr. Anthony Eden had made, Sir John Simon emphasised that the British delegates were,going to, Italy in accordance with their undertakings, without* having formed definite conclusions on the interviews they bad had during their visits'. It would, however, be Incorrect to assume from this that the British Government had “no policy.” It has been always understood that the main purpose of the Stresa Conference is to collect the views of the British. French and Italian Governments in the light of the impressions gained by the British Ministers as to the best methods of assuring the maintenance of peace in Europe in the circumstances created by recent developments, chief among which is the rearmament of Germany. System of Collective Security While Sir John Simon at the conclusion 'of his statement issued a special warning that no inferences should be drawn from unauthorised comments and pronouncements in British newspapers, an influential section of the British Press is firmly convinced that the British people would lie prepared to support the line indicated by Mr. Stanley Baldwin in his speech cn Mon.day to the effect that the British Government is considering the best possible method of establishing a system of collective security inside the League of Nations, In tliis connection the “Daily leiegraph”, attributes to the British Ministers the firm opinion that an early declaration should be made by .the British Government, reaffirming its determination to carry out all its obligations under the Covenant of the League and the Treaty of Locarno, and that the importance of such a .declaration as a steadying influence on European nerves is fully recognised. The “News-Chronicle” believes that Britain should put herself unreservedly behind the strengthening of the Covenant and the more precise sanctions under Article 16, and should attempt at the same time to exact an understanding on the limitation of armaments. “Situation is Grave.” The "Manchester Guardian” also favours precision on the principle of collective security in a system remaining open to the participation of Germany. It adds - . "The Governments represented at Stresa are unanimous in one thing at. least, namely, that the European situation is grave, and Unit no time should be lost, in facing and endeavouring to meet its obvious dangers. This is certainly the view of the British Government, especially of the Prime Minister himself, who has of lute been most explicit on this point, and it is no small matter that he himself is going to Stresa.” MET BY MUSSOLINI Mr. MacDonald Arrives at Stresa IL DUCE SHAKES HANDS (Received April 12. 1.20 a.m.) London, April 11. To the strains of "God Save the King,” played by a military band, and with a guard of honour, the British Prime Minister, Mr. MacDonald arrived by train at Stresa. Signor Mussolini warmly shook hands and spoke English.

The authorities are taking great precautions to ensure the safety of the foreign delegations. When M. Laval went for aji early stroll he found him-

self surrounded by twenty plainclothes detectives. MILITARY PARITY View of Fascist Press (deceived April 11. 7 p.m.)Koine, April 11. The Fascist Press is unanimous that the Stresaiconference will commence by inquiring whether the Home and London agreements can be adapted to meet the changed situation. Delegates will be called on to deal with the problem created by the demands for military parity put forward by Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria. MUSSOLINI ARRIVES. By Seaplane From Milan Stresa, April 10. Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, arrived, piloting a three-engined seaplane from Milan. It is understood that while the main conference is proceeding the African experts will discuss Abyssinia. WELCOME TO FRENCH Stresa, April 10. Signor Mussolini cordially greeted MM. Flandin and Laval, the French delegates, at the railway station and accompanied them to their hotel.