NO MORE WAR.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 May 1928, Page 7

NO MORE WAR.

BRITISH VIEW SATISFIES AMERICA.

WASHINGTON, May 21,

Canada and the Irish Free State will be directly invited to participate in the negotiations for a general antiwar treaty, and the other Dominions and India through the British Foreign Office. All the invitations, it is understood, will be identical, and will contain statements of what has occurred in accordance witli Sir Austen Chamberlain’s recommendations. The State Department announced: — “In the British Note Sir Austen Chamberlain informs this Government that His Majesty’s Government has been in communication with the Dominions and India, and has ascertained that they are all in cordial agreement on the general principle of a multilateral treaty for renunciation of war.

“Sir Austen added that he felt confident that the Dominions and the Government of India were prepared to accept the invitation to participate in the conclusion of such a treaty. ‘The United States received this information with keenest satisfaction. Telegraphic instruction was to-day sent American Ministers at Ottawa and Dublin and the American Ambassador at London to deliver to-morrow Notes inviting the Dominion Governments and the Government of India to become original parties to a multilateral treaty for a renunciation of war. . “The United States Government has proposed the simultaneous publication of the text of the invitations next Friday morning. ’ ’ S Further study of the British Note today by the State Department confirmed first impressions, and led to an optimism that was increased by a Paris press report that the French Government will be substantially, if not completely, in needed with Sir Austen Chamberlain's views.

There is, however, no diminution in American opposition to the Fourth Article of the French draft treaty specifying that the contemplated convention shall not abridge the structure of all existing treaties. The hope here is that the British Mote will stand eventually as an unqualified acceptance of the Kellogg draft. ‘ 4

Article Ten of the Chamberlain Note, it is now felt may be found to be only a specific declaration of Britain’s intention to defend all its lines of communication, in which case i.t would amount merely to a definition of selfdefence rather than a reservation.

It is pointed out that Mr. Kellogg has already declared that the right of self-defence was inherent in any treaty. Officials to-day oppose suggestions that an international conference might be the best means of adjusting all differences. Thcyfolt that exchange of Diplomatic communications constituted in themselves complete definitions of the understanding upon which the Powers are acting.

It was admitted, however, that if these same understandings were contained briefly and comprehensibly, possibly in the preamble of the treaty, they would through Senate and Parliamentary ratification take on a force not contained in their present form.

Maintenance of Peace And Prevention of War Inspires Foreign Policy Received Tuesday, 7.30 p.m. LONDON, May 22. The Premier, the Eight Honorable Mr. S. Baldwin, acknowledging a petition containing 100,000 signatures asking acceptance of the 1919 standard of disarmament as a basis of general disarmament, wrote to the National Council for the Prevention of War stating that the maintenance of peace and the •prevention of war inspired the whole foreign policy of the Government. He hoped/ he declared, still further to reduce armaments through common action and agreement with other nations.

If Britain alone proceeded further to disarm there was no guarantee that others would follow her example and no British Government dare run this risk. It would make her a prey to hostile forces, excite the cupidity of hostile intention, and encourage rather than prevent war. iFurthor disarmamentary steps must be the result of the combined action of all countries. The Government will co-operate in work of this nature. But it is impossible to pledge in advance any given standard of disarmament that will be adopted.