PUTTING NATIONS IN EACH OTHER’S SHOES

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6947, 28 June 1929, Page 7

PUTTING NATIONS IN EACH OTHER’S SHOES

For Peace Perspective

RAIISAY MaeDONALD DARES TO HOPE

FURTHER CONVERSATIONS.

British Official Wireless.

RUGBY, June 26. Tho Prime Minister yesterday had a further conversation on Disarmament with tho American Ambassador, General Dawes, during which Mr Hugh Gibson, who represented the United States on tho -Preparatory Disarmament Committee, was also present. Mr Gibson, reached Loudon last week-end to discuss- the question with General Dawes. In referring to this conversation during a speech at a Labour Forty gathering last night, the Prime Minister added:—“l am. hopeful; I will put it no higher than that.” The Prim-o Minister said: “The great thing that is wanted in the world today is the capacity of tho different nations to put themselves in each others shoes, and that will be one of the things we shal try to do in the conduct of the negotiations. I hope that before many days wo shall be in a position to make an announcement of the things we shall try to do in tho conducted, where the conference is to be held, and what object we shall aim at. Mr. A. Henderson, Forelgn-Secretry, said that it would be the aim of the Government to promote by every moans in their power international peaco and good relations with all countries. They hoped to accomplish something in this direction that would be permanently constructive and to remove a large part of the burdens of armaments that rest so heavily not only on Britain, but on the Empire. The Prince of Wales, General Dawes and Admiral of tho Fleet, Lord Jellicoo, were among thoso who spoke at tho British Empire Service League dinner last night at which references wore made to naval reductions. Lord Jellicoe said that tho Service -League worked with all its strength in the interests of world peace, and General Dawes since his arrival in Britain had put his hand to the same task. By reducing naval armaments heavy blows might bo aimed at their brother officers. Many of their finest officers and mon had had their careers in the service cut short, buit no single word of complaint had come from them. It was to the eternal credit of the British navy that tho position has been accepted always in a spirit of loyalty and without complaint. He hoped that, if any further reductions were necessary, it would be possible to arrive at some sort of finality so that in the futuro they would know to some extent the personnel necessary and the same hardships would not be inflicted on tho officers and mon as had been the case in the past. Thoso men deserved praise fo-r the manner in which they had accepted the position up to now.