PEACE PACT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 May 1928, Page 5

PEACE PACT.

' AMERICA'S PROPOSALS ACCEPT--4 . ABLE TO* BRITAIN.

DOMINION GOVERNMENTS ALSO

IN ACCORD

(By Telegraph-Press Assn .-Copyright.) Received This Day, 11.35 a.in. , LONDON, May 19th. . The British reply to Mr ‘ Kellogg states that His Majesty's Government will support the movement to the utmost of their power. It feels convinced’ there is little divergence between it and the French Note, The British Government is in accord with the aim of the United States Government to embody a broad statement of principle to proclaim without" restriction or qualification that .war shall not Tie used as. an instrument of policy. It does not consider that thcyterms 1 exclude action, a state may be forced to take in self-defence and there appears to be no antagonism between the treaty engagements which the British Government had already accepted and the pact now proposed. It considers the obligation of the new engagement however, that it should be understood would cease to operate in respect of the party which broke the pledges # 'Contained in the Locarno and other treaties. The reply reminds Mr Kellogg that there are certain of world welfare and integritySwhich constitute special and vital interest for Britain’s peace and safety and the British Government could only accept the new treaty on the distinct understanding that it does not prejudice its freedom 'pf action in this respect. The Government of the United States has comparable interests, any disregard of which it has stated it would regard as an unfriendly act. The reply agrees that it is unnecessary, fo wait lUntil all the nations of . the have signified their willingness ,Id become parties. It would be 'embarrassing if certain European states were not included, but* the British Government sees no. reason to doubt they will accept the new treaty. „ ,It has been ascertained that the Dominion Governments also cordially support the proposed pact, and would, ■doubtless be prepared to participate in its conclusion. The British Government would not participate otherwise than' jointly and simultaneously with , the Dominion Governments.