SECURITY QUESTION

Grey River Argus, 17 June 1925, Page 5

SECURITY QUESTION

i AND DOMINIONS BALDWIN’S STATEMENT. (N.Z. and Australian Cable Assn.) LONDON, June 15. In the Commons replying to ques- [ lions regarding the Security Paei. Mr ; Baldwin stated that the Dorn inion Go. i vernments were kept in the closes) I touch with the various developments I leading to the existing position, lie I was not quite sure whether the agree, ment would require the endorsement of the Dominions, and he suggested that a question be put. A PLEA TO DOMINIONS. TO GIVE PACT FAIR consideration. (Received June 16 at- 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, June 15. The “Morning Post,” discu.\smg the altitude of the Dominions towards the pact, says: An endeavour is being made to create the impression that they oppose the pact. We understand tha»t< both Australia and New Zealand are favoura’ble, and that, despite Mr MacKonzie King’s blunt reference, there is a wiT.ingness among the Canadians to give uio arrangement fair consideration. The same waiting altitude is observable in South Africa. The Dominions very properly, are net going to be ■precipitate in their judgment. -•■t this early stage of the negoHjations, it would be puerile for responsible Dominion statesmen to condemn the pact before they road thp clauses. We quite understand fthe sympathies and suspicions that the Dominions entertain of European entanglements, and Britain's share in their pre

possessions, but we cannot ge<t away from the Continent, anid wc dare not leave Europe to take c-arc of itself. We hope the Dominions will understand this argument, and ask d,hemselves whether the proposed pact <vill help to secure the British Empire, as we think it will. The second question is: Does the pact, mane for peace? We again answer in the affirmative, as the Pact establishes a peace status; but the pact is, moreover, a eonstrudtivo measure for giving support to the. settlement of 1919, for which the Dominions’ soldiers gave their lives. If the Dominions throw over the Pact, wc shall be the mercy of unknown forces, which may leap from the dark, and threaten not only British shores, but the links which bind us to our kinsmen overseas.” DEBATE IN COMMONS. LONDON, Juno 16. The House of Commons will devot** a day, probably June 24th. to a debate on the Security Pact. Six liberals have tabled motions ; xpressing apprehension nt Britain entering any exclusive Pact with foreign nations, which might draw Britain in. to a war. PERSIA AND LEAGUE. GENEVA, .Time 15. Habibullah, the Persian delegate, withdrew from the Arms Conference, owing to the adoption of articles dealing with the supervision of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, which Persia considlcrs derogatory to her sovereign rights and dignity.