MR MACDONALD

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1929, Page 6

MR MACDONALD

STARTS FOR AMERICA. A GREAT SEND-OFF. {United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, September 28. Rt Hon. Ramsay MacDonald had a wonderful send-off on' his historic mission to the United States. Crowds gathered at Waterloo Station in the evening to witness his departure for Southampton to join the “Berengaria.” Distinguished people had to fight their way ..through thousands to reach the platform. During the struggle, Rt. Hon. Tom Shaw, Minister of War, lost his watch. General Dawes (U.S.A. Ambassador) and many members of the Cabinet were waiting when the Prime Minister, wit 1 his daughter, Miss Ishbel MacDonald, arrived. There were resounding cheers when Mr MacDonald and Miss Ishbel MacDonald stood together for the photographers. Then the Prime Minister and Genreal Dawes faced a battery of cameras. The train slowly steamed out, being fifteen minutes late, amid redoubled cheers, and the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” this completely drowning the singing of “The Red Flag.” v On arrival at Southampton,, the Prime Minister, was looking tired, but otherwise well. He was conducted to the luxurious, • self-contained suite on the Berengaria, which was intended for the ex-Kaiser' before the war, when the Berengaria was called the “ Imperator.” . • \Those accompanying Mr MacDonald are: Sir Robert Vansittart, who .is his principal private secretary, as he was to the ex-Prime Minister, Mr Baldwin, •and who is also Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office, and late head of the American Department there ; Thomas Jones, who has been Deputy-Secretary to the Cabinet during terms of office of the last four Prime Ministers, and Mr Robert Craigie, present head of the American Department at the Foreign Office. The ladies of the party are Miss Ishbel MacDonald, the Prime Minister’s daughter, and his private secretary, Miss Rosenberg. MESSAGE FROM KING. The Prime Minister received the following message from the King: “On the eve of your journey, I wish you God speed. It is a departure that will be surrounded with good wishes, for it is a contribution to those happy relations between two great'peoples, which must be an article of faith among all men of goodwill.” Mr MacDonald replied: “With my humble* duty -to your Majesty, lam deeply grateful for your ! Majesty’s gracious and kindly thought in sending me good wishes if or the journey which will indeed, I trust, be a fruitful innovation.” , The Prime Minister also received ;the following message. . »from Sir Kynaston Studd, Lord Mayor of London: “The citizens, of London are taking keen interest in your-visit to America, and heartily wish .you a successful issue,: a . pleasant voyage, and safe return.”

Mr MacDonald replied: “I very much appreciate your kind message. It is real encouragement to me on the eve of sailing, and helpful to me in my mission to feel I fim accompanied by such good wishes from the citizens ol London.”

Numerous other messages reached the Prime Minister from various quarters, conveying good wishes. Mr Baldwin, Conservative ex-Prinv Minister, who has just returned from a Holiday at Aex Les Bains, visited the Prime Minister to-day, and wished him bon voyage and the success of his mission to America. RUGBY, September 27. Mr Ramsay MacDonald, who leaves London for Southampton to-night, and will sail on the Berengaria early tomorrow morning, will take to the United States the good wishes of all his countrymen for the successful termination of his mission.

Prior to his departure for the United States to-day, the Prime Minister made the following, statement to the Press: “I am looking forward very much to my visit to the United States and Canada, and to a renewal of old and the making of new friendships there, but of course this is an official visit and is concerned with public affairs. I do not expect my stay in Washington to lead to spectacular developments. One reason for this is that current negotiations concerning naval disarmament have been carried so far that they have now to be brought to the wider international stage. Before there could bo any progress in naval disarmament it was necessary for Washington and London to devise means for terminating the deadlock which had arisen between them at the Geneva conference in 1927. I am glad to say that we have made such good progress in this •work that the moment has come we hope, when the five naval powers who signed tbe Washington treaties can bo invited to join and ensure a common happy issue to the conference. If all goes well the five powers conference will be held early in the New Year. If it succeeds, it will supply the Preparatory Disarmament Commission of the League of Nations with a substantial contribution for naval disarmament. The Preparatory Commission would then be free to proceed with its general work, and it will later bn be possible for the League of Nations to summon a general disarmament conference of all nations towards which it has long been working.” The Prime Minister added: ‘‘Such briefly is the situation regarding disarmament hut that is not the only im-

pulse that moves me to go to America. I want very much to see President Hoover once again and meet other American public men, many oif whom I know already. We have so much woik to do which cannot be done unless we understand and have confidence in each other. The history of the AngloAmerican naval situation during the past three years, proves, if proof is needed, that the closest possible understanding between the two nations is of greatest importance, not only for those nations, but for the wtifld. I have already felt that personal contact between those actually fesponsible foi government in Washington and London is essential if that understanding is to be developed, as fully as we all wish it to be. Both nations have a great role to play in the advancement not only of disarmament, but of many other democratic and moral issues, with which their history is associated. I am off in the hope of being able to do something to narrow the Atlantic.”

The “Daily Herald” to-day reproduces a letter from Mr MacDonald in which the latter, referring to his inability to attend the annual conference of the Labour Party, which will take place during his absence, says: “I go on a voyage of exploration. The greatest contribution of. which this generation can make to the history of the world is to establish peace among nations, and induce them to feel a sense of security. The United States and ourselves, having the same objects, should proclaim them with a united voice. The good and cordial relations between us two can change the outlook for peace and give the world energetic faith instead of hesitating scepticism. Igo away to see what can be done, and with the help of my colleagues in the Labour movement, and with every influence making for peace, who dares to say that success is impossible?” The “Manchester Guardian” to-day states that the people of all parties join in the belief that the forthcoming Washington understanding of which the foundations were laid by all British parties, will be marking a date in history. The visit is to be in the nature of a concord between the two nations, and something should be settled at Washington for the Five Powers Conference problem that lies ahead, and which must be held before disarmament in earnest can be launched.

The “Guardian” concludes from the absence of any naval expert in the Prime Minister’s party, that a full agreement has been reached and accepted by the British Admiralty.

AMERICAN SENTIMENTS. BRITISH AMBASSADOR’S STATEMENT. WASHINGTON. September 28. “As I sense the prevailing sentiments of this country towardsMr Ramsay MacDonald’s visit, it is one of warm welcome to him personally, and a sincere, hope that he and President Hoover may completely succeed in their negotiations,” said Sir Esme Howard, British •Ambassador, in an interview. “ Most of Mr MacDonald’s time in America will be spent with President Hoover, either at "White House, or-at thefPresident’s new fishing camp at Virginia. The plan is to leave the two . leaders much togetherj so that they may ( smooth away the existing difficulties,:, and prepare for a final agreement, if possible, at the coming naval conference.” MR MACDONALD’S MESSAGE. TO LABOUR. CONFERENCE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) ’ LONDON, September 29. During • the Premier’s absence, Mr Snowden will be in control. Mr MacDonald, before sailing, left a message for the Labour Party Conference, wherein he says: “We are not trying to present other nations with a fait accompli, which they must take or leave. What we are determined to avoid is that the general march forward towards disarmament may upheave the future as in the past while the two great naval powers, ourselves and Amrica, halt by the wayside and argue their special" difficulties.” Mr MacDonald warned the party in reference to home legislation, that time was needed to study the problems and prepare plans capable of withstanding fhe severest test and criticism in the Commons.