THE MAIN PURPOSE

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 86, 11 April 1935, Page 9

THE MAIN PURPOSE

COLLECTION OF JIEWS

BEST WAY TO SECURE PEACE

(British Official Wireless.) v (Received^ April 11, noon.)

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 v emphasised that'the British delegates were going to Italy in accordance with their undertakings, without having formed definite conclusions on the interviews they had 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 re-armament of Germany. ■ ,

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 ißritish newspapers, ari influential section of ..the British- Press is firmly convinced that Jhe British people would be prepared to support the line indicated by Mr. •Baldwin iin. his speech on Monday, 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 this connection .the, "Daily Telegraph" attributes to the British Ministers the firm opinion that an.early declaration should be made, by the' British Government,1 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. . i

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 |o exact an understanding on the limitation of .armaments. ■ ■■ ■ . ■ ■•.■ ..-.■ :. ■.-;■-■■;■

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 that 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 late been most explicit on-this point, and it is no small matter that he. himself is going to Stresa." ..*■..■ :