Sir Andrew Russell

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVI, Issue 8, 21 December 1925, Page 5

Sir Andrew Russell

Chat on European Affairs GERMANY SAVED BY DAWES PLAN. LOC ARNO A REAL STEP TOWARDS PEACE. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, Dec. 21. Major-General Sir Andrew Russell, who, with Lady Russell, returned by the Aorangi from an eighteen months’ trip abroad said that tho Dawes plan had achieved its two prime objects; firstly, tho removal of reparation from the political and secondly, tho establishment of sound economic conditions in Germany. Owing 1.0 the downward rush of the paper mark Germany appeared to be on the brink of an economic and social upheaval. The Dawes scheme saved her. Only time would show how far the scheme would effect its secondary object, namely, the actual payment of Germany’s war debt to the Allies. The Locarno Pact, at the expense of involving the Empire in European affairs, whether willingly or otherwise, and rendering us liable to assist an aggrieved party with an armed force, was a very real step on the road to peace. But far more important to the future welfare of Europe was the fact that with its signing Germany was again admitted as a member of the European family on terms of equality, and her destiny was linked with that of European civilisation. A subject of importance to Australia ami New Zealand, said Sir Andrew, was the dispute with the Turkish republic. because the nation which controlled Mesopotamia controlled the land and ai r routes to these outposts of th© British Empire. It was important that these routes should run through countries with secure and stable government. Surrender to the claims of the Turkish republic, which had refused to accept the ruling of the League of Nations, would be a severe blow at the prestige of both tne League and the British Empire.