TO SECURE SETTLEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1924, Page 5

TO SECURE SETTLEMENT

BRITAIN WILL GO HALF-WAY

MACDONALD-POINCARE LETTERS.

(UNITED TREES ASSOCIATION.—COPIRIGBT.) (ACSTRALIAJi-JfEW ZEALAND CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, 29th January. A political observer, writing in the "'Daily Telegraph," reveals that Mr. MacDonald, as soon as he was installed at the Foreign Office, addressed M. Poincare a remarkably straightforward letter wherein he did not blink Anglo-French differences, but offered to meet M. Poiu- j care halfway in an attempt to reach a final, complete, and clear settlement, expressing readiness to discuss all outstanding questions. • The "Daily Telegraph" adds that M. Poincare's reply was awaited with some anxiety, because it "was not the first time that a British Prime Minister had stretched out his hand for a friendly grasp. Fortunately M. Poincare replied in the same kindly tone as Mr. MacDonald's. Unlike the rank and file of the LabourParty, Mr. MacDonald has a good understanding of France's difficulties. He realised that Britain's and the United States' withdrawal from the pact of security caused many of the present international troubles. He was opposed to any attempt to irttimidate or isolate France, "believing in persuasion instead of isolation. Mr. MacDonald hopes to gain v French participation in a general movement towards disarmament.