SMUTS IN LONDON

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 74, 25 September 1923, Page 7

SMUTS IN LONDON

THE IMPROVED OUTLOOK BRITAIN'S SUPPORT OF LEAGUE OF NATIONS DEVELOPMENT OF SOUTH AFRICA. (SUITED PRESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) j (REDTEITS TELEGKAU.) " I (Received 25th September, 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, 24th September. General Smuts has arrived. In an interview he emphasised that South Africa is in complete harmony with the Imperial Government's policy towards Europe. He rejoiced in the more hopeful spirit in the recent communiques regarding the meetings betweeu Mr. Baldwin and M. Poincare, It was most heartening to see the unanimity with which the Powers, great and small, followed the British lead in supporting the League of Nations when it was challenged by Italy. The Italo-Greek incident might prove th o turning-point in the fojtunes of the League. He dwelt on the expenditure incurred in South Africa m connection with the extensive programme of international development, lho expenditure would be fruitless unless bouth Africa secured' a larger field lor the sale of its products. He was convinced that his colleagues at the Economic Conference would find the Imperial Conference sympathetic and prepared to meet the representatives of the Dominions iij drawing up a*scheme for niter-Imperial trade, which would be mutually beneficial. He anticipated great developments in cotton-growing in the Empire in the next few yeark General Smuts said he looked forward with pleasure to making the acquaintance of Mr. Mackenzie King (Premier of Canada) and Mr. Bruce, and to meetI ing old friends again, including Mr. Massey. All would miss that distinguished ■ statesman, Mr. Hughes, and, above all, Mr. Lloyd George.