MACDONALD'S MISTAKE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 140, 18 June 1929, Page 9

MACDONALD'S MISTAKE

WRITING FOR THE PRESS

CRITICISM OF EUROPE

United Press Association—By Electric Tele-

graph—Copyright. Australian Press -Association.

LONDON, 17th June.

While the Prime Minister is striving to establish peace relations with the United States, he has made a bad faux pas by publishing an article in a Sunday newspaper dealing with the minorities' problem in Europe, "By Kamsay MaeDonald, Prime Minister of Great Britain," under the heading, "Menace to Europe—Should the Peace Treaties be Bevised?"

In the article Mr, MaeDonald'states that the complete breakdown of democratic government in Jugo-Slavia and the establishment of a Dictatorship are the latest warnings that there will be grave trouble unless Europe's minority problems are solved in a spirit of give and take. He continues: "Uncompromising nationalism is an irritating and dangerous obstruction." He expresses the opinion that the policy of Serbisation of the Croats in Jugo-Slavia has created two alternatives, equally evil—either an endless Parliamentary deadlock or a Dictatorship. "Italy, pursuing the same policy as the Serb, can do this only for the time being without disturbing Europe. '' Mr. MaeDonald adds: ' ' Nor must Alsace and the Saai be left out of account in the survey of the minority problem.'? . .

The "Daily Telegraph" says: "Mr. MacDonald's article has created a big stir in diplomatic circles, and has already assured speedy dramatic repercussions in several European capitals. It is difficult to comment on this flighty irresponsibility in restrained language.-, If this is the sort of thing the .Government believes is going to bring a peaceful settlement in Europe it is not likely to have a resounding success." ,'.-; '