SPEECHES IN DEBATE

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 148, 26 June 1925, Page 5

SPEECHES IN DEBATE

PROBLEM OF DISARMAMENT.

(BKUTER'K TEUfIRAM.)

LONDON, 25th June. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald suggested that Mr. Chamberlain ought to make his disarmament agreement an essential part of the scheme, just as Germany's entry into the League was essential. He expressed the opinion that the method of alliances was futile. ' ; :

. Mr. Lloyd George said all agreed regarding the aims, but differed concerning tho methods. if they could got a, Pact including not merely a declara.tion from Germany respecting the inviolability of the West frontier, but also one- between France, Germany, Pplagdj, ani (Oaecbo-SlovsMa Jhab §11

questions likely to arise between the nations should be referred to arbitration, it would be a great advance towards peace. If France and Germany declined to sign they would • not mean peace; In such case Britain ought not to b.e.in it. ? .. „:.■. ..... Mr. Chamberlain, replying to the debate, mentioned .that the association of Italy with the Western Pact guarantee would be welcomed. Britain was prepared to join the other Great Powers in any conference for the; further limitation of armaments. The initiative in regard to..naval matters might better come from the United States, to which we .owed the first decisive international act of disarmament the world had seen. The Powers ■ with ".larger armies.; if assured of security-, wiild: probably; take the; initiative,.by;'making spontaneous proposals for-the -reduction of the land armaments they hitherto, had ed necessary for safety. The Dominions had, been kept fully informed of all proceedings by the British" Government, and. except* New' Zealand, which had expressed complete confidence in the British Government,/with which it was content .to'; leave the decision, the Dominions had not yet declared themselves, but no Dominion could be committed^ except by its own Government, acting with the support of its own Parliament, The debate was adjourned.