PEACE PACT

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 1 August 1928, Page 5

PEACE PACT

i ■» BRITISH RESERVATIONS. i . FOREIGN OFFICE POLICY. DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMON’S. (United Tress Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright.) (Australian Tress Association—United Service.) 1.0 N D ON. J ui’-v 30. In committee of .supply on the Foreign Office vote in the Ho awe of Commons, Major H. E. Crawford directed attention to the situation in China, and Fi gy.pt. Major Crawford pointed out that Sir Austen Chamberlain’s letter on May 19 regarding the .proposed peace pact had, practically reproduced all the reservations, made by the French; Government, with one or two of his own. It was mainly upon these 'reservations tha t the o'ppooibiou criticism of the Foreign Office, was based. The correspondence also showed that Sir Austen Chamberlain thought it would be inconvenient if Russia were included in the pact. Did the Foreign Minister really think the pact would be of maximum use if Russia were excluded?

Mr C. P. Trevelyan said the Labour Party regretted that tine pact wa.s net accepted by the British .Government without reservations. Britain did not want another Monroe Doctrine. With a roving application world-wide, this really meant that . G reat Britain and the 'British 'Empire held themselves free from certain districts of the woilkl despite the pact to forego war and act as absolute arbiters. ’Mr Trevelyan considered that was inconsistent with, international idea.

Commander Kenworthy urged that there must be international ’aw instead of international war. He hoped Britain would take the first step. Air Lloyd George pa.id a tribute t» Sir Austen’s faithful adherence to the attitude originally adopted toward China. He was delighted, to hear the Foreign Secretary’s, declaim,tion that Manchuria was an indigenous part of .'Jh.na and was not to be lorn away I'rcT.v the. Chinese Commomvealt.ii.

Regarding the Kriilogg pact, ho thought Sir Austen was disposed to underestimate the perils of the clause, which iset up a kind of Monroe. Docbriiu for Britain. There was a great deaf, or misapprehension over the clause on tin? otho.- side of the Atlantic.

Air Llovd G-eorge asked for a clear statement of what the Government imtend'Pd' to cover by this vague, indefinite, obscure o’a mas. He regretted the word.? “regarding oelf-clefence” were included, a® there had never .licen war when beta parties did not eiiai.m to. 'be acting on the principle of self-defence. It was a pity Mr Kellogg was forced out of his position cf having a simple, unreserved declaration to outlaw war. It was ailiso vital to bring Russia within the ambit of.- some obligation not to make war. T.iere would never be disarmament until that had been done. He hoped, the Government would give reality to pact by taking the initiative in cutting down armninents and withdrawing troops from tho Rhineland. The vet? was agreed to.