AGAINST WAR

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 306, 28 November 1927, Page 7

AGAINST WAR

' CONFERENCE IN LONDON. BRITAIN APPEALED TO. YEAR 1935 DREADED. (.By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Nov. 25. Disarmament has overshadowed every subject in England for weeks. Viscount Cecil’s statement in tno house of Lords concerning his Resignation aroused some misgivings as to the Government’s programme and was largely resjxmsible for the Labour Fartys attack in the House at Commons. On the contrary, the rcduc>ololl. of. the British cruiser, programme finds., a. responsive echo in America, where it is regarded as a handsome gesture of conciliation. Tlio Disarmament Conference at Geneva in me coming week is expected to produce .the plainest speaking yet heard in >cnat connection. ' \ Signor Nitti, an ex-ltalian Premier, empnasises tile fact that even allowing, lor the disarmament of the defeated nations, Germany, Austria, Dungary, and Bulgaria, Lurope had. a million more lariued men than before the war. 'though Geneva had discussed disarmament, armament continued. the spirit of peace did not' exithough tnere was not hatred. Deople were dragged to war by hidden rorces. M. De Jouvenal in a message to tlio conference • and “I look forward to 1935 with dread. Those who conducted the peace negotiations built up a structure that would be good for fifteen yeurs,. but what "is litten years . J I repeat that 1935 will be a crucial year. France will then have her minimum strength,, and will have lost the protection arlorded by the occupation or the Rhine. 1 hope with *ll my heart that the League oefore 1935 will have gained the authority necessary to prevent a recurrence of war. 1 beg to make, with the whole of my poor powers, an appeal to Britisn mends for peace. , America wanted to remain isolated in iyi4, but couid not. Neitlisr can'jintain, separated by a narrow frontier channel, witli London entirely at the mercy of air raids. Whetner we want or do not want to be mutually concerned we must be.” tie concluded by expressing the opinion that in the event of another European war America would not be on tile same sul© as Lngland. General von Sclioenaich, described as the idol of the German militarist press durmg the war, said that the danger did not <some from German militarism or nationalism, but from the -big owners of important raw materials. “When the oil kings cannot agree.’’ he said, "then other people must fight for them.” Signor Nitti, at the close of the conference to-nignt- made ia final appeal. He said: “It is for Britain to lead the world, because she is the sovereign among nations. • If you obey the call and put all your forces at command oHa common effort for peace, success is certain.” The closing scenes were lively. M., Edo Femmen, secretary’ of the International Federation, advocated that' the last resource of active resistance to war should be a general strike. The consequence would probably bo civil war, but it was better to lose a hundred thousand men in that than millions in an international conflict.' There was a roar of disaproval, to which lie retorted: “If the sacrifice of a few thousands would'stop a great war it would be right.” There was a thunderous roar ot “No!” “Never!” Several rose and left the hall ingGeneral von Schoenaich made some women gasp when he declared that after thirty-five years as a soldier he also favourd a general strike. He said, “The next war will not be ri soldier’s war. ' It will be war on women and children, in London, Paris and Berlin. We must fight to the last against war.” —A. and N.Z. cable. OUTLAWRY OF WAR. RESOLUTIONS FOR CONGRESS. NOT FAVOURED BY MR COOLIDGE

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. President Coolidge does not favour resolutions which are expected to be introduced in Congress proposing the outlawry of war and the aim to maintain peace by international agreement. He said: “I believe the suggested plans offer only illusory short cuts to the goal of universal peace. The proffered plans are impracticable and unlikely to succeed because of the many obstacles they are bound to meet. There is no more short cut to peace than to salvation.” An arms and' food embargo, he said, , would involve the United States in a dispute with other nations, and lead to international recriminations that would draw the United States into conflict. The maintenance of the traditional attitude of non-interference excepting in unusual circumstances, was the only sure way for the United States to avoid embroilment in European affairs and the constant danger of war. President Coolidge added: “The United States believes that whatever steps are taken to preserve peace should be made individually, not acting in concert with other nations. The United States will gain little by agreeing to meet other nations in discussions on the avoidance of war.”

Congress is expected as a result of the President’s views to relegate the E reposals to the background, and the opes of Messrs Borah’s, Capper’s -and Burton’s resolutions providing for the outlawry of war and the establishment of an international tribunal are considerably lessened.—A. and N.Z. cable;