BRITAIN AS PEACEMAKER

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 December 1934, Page 7

BRITAIN AS PEACEMAKER

“GREAT PART TO PLAY” EUROPEAN WAR AVERTED [BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.] RUGBY, December 16. Sir John Simon, speaking at Bolton, emphasised the vital concern of foreign affairs to the British. More than ever, Britain had a great part to play, not only by contributing advice, but also, and he said it deliberately, by contributing leadership, which, in the interests of the world itself, Britain must not shirk. The spirit and temper of- the British people was such that while they were not prepared to enter into reckless foreign adventure, they knew they had this part to play in counselling moderation and friendliness and good understanding, all in the interests of world peace. In illustration, the Foreign Secre*tary instanced the cases of the Saar and Jugo-Slavia. In regard to the Saar, he said that the danger of disturbance had been averted, and the British Government and people were glad to have done their part in ensuring that happy result.

Referring to the situation created between Jugo-Slavia and Hungary, as one result of the useless and political assassination that lately shocked the world, Sir John Simon said that a most bitter and dangerous quarrel arose between those two countries, and threatened to involve some other neighbouring countries, but there again Britain, in co-operation with others, seized the opportunity to promote peace, by vigorous practical action, and again success had been achieved.

Sir John Simon said that at Geneva, British influence and intervention was indeed significant, and in some cases was of vital effect upon the course which events took.

YUGO-SLAVIAN LOYALTY (Rec. December 17, 1 p.m.) BELGRADE, December 16. “Sixty thousand reservists, aged from 21 to 55, rent the air with cheers when, after assembling on the parade ground, they took the oath of loyalty to King Peter. The capital and all the towns were denuded of their male inhabitants, and transport vehicles, because every member of the two million reserve forces throughout the country simultaneously swore fealty, the priests of six different religious administering the oath in Belgrade. The Regent, Prince Paul, in the presence of a vast concourse, subsequently opened the Reparations Bridge, across the Danube, between Belgrade and the suburg of Zemun, and christened it the Alexander Bridge, in honour of the martyred King. The Jugoslavs completed half the structure after 1932, when the German provision of materials under the reparations clause ceased.

FRANCE AND ITALY. PARIS, December 15. “Le Matin” foreshadows that as a result of M. Laval’s visit to Rome next January, there will be a FrancoItalian agreement reached regarding the status of Italians in Tunisia, the rectification of the Libyan border, and the cession to Italy of -portion of the French Somaliland territories. AUSTRIA AND HUNGARY VIENNA., December 15. The Chancellor, Dr. Schuschnigg, has returned after a conference with the Hungarian Government, resulting in an agreement on economic and political questions. FREEDOM OF THE SEAS. NEW YORK, December 15. The “New York Times’s” Washington correspondent states he., has learned that the State Department. ias prepared a series of recommendations for submission to President Roosevel which, if adopted, will greatly revise America’s historical neutrality pollcies. It is understood that the President desires wide powers of discretion in this matter, such as have been granted him in domestic issues by Congress, which he could immediately make effective in the event of any war stai ting which does not involve this country, says the correspondent. Details of. the Department’s ideas are completely lacking, but it is understood that the paramount issue is the freedom of the seas, with serious consideration being given to the proposal that America’s traditional policy shall be abandoned to the extent of withdrawing its protection from Amei ican shipping in danger zones. WAR DEBTS. WASHINGTON, December 15. President Roosevelt to-day expressed his belief that an agreement on the war debts would eventually be reached with various countries that now are unable to . continue payment. The President declined to say on what his hope for a settlement is based, but he said that he most certainly did not expect an eventual agreement. ■’«