RAMSAY MacDONALD FELICITATED ON HIS DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7060, 7 November 1929, Page 6

RAMSAY MacDONALD FELICITATED ON HIS DIPLOMATIC SUCCESS

Baldwin’s Ambition

LIBERAL LEADER ASKS QUESTIONS debts not discussed.

British Official Wireless. Received Wednesday, 7 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. S,

In the House of Commons to-day, Mr. MacDonald reported upon his visit to the United States of America and Canada. He spoke of the candour with which difficult questions were raised and discussed and said that though some of the matters he had to deal with might easily have aroused prejudices, from beginning to end he found nothing but thoughtfulness and a desire to co-operate in placing facts and positions justly before this country. No Government could have opened the doors of their minds and hearts wider. The purpose of his visit was to try by personal contact to establish new relations between the two peoples, based on mutual understanding not only of common objects to be pursued, but also of natural differences to be respected. The result must be left to fructify in policy and in action. Tho conversations ho had had earlier with General Dawes, the United States Ambassador in London, had already removed the fear that the unbridged. differences between tho United States of America and Britain would doom the International Conference to failure. In those conversations with President Hoover, the studying with him of ways” and means of filling in the narrow gaps still in the building programme, which would at the same time recognise both parity of strength and variety in the use of tonnage, both recognised that the agreement they were seeking was one not merely between themselves, but one which would have to fit into a wider co-operation and the final settlement.

The other Powers would probably have much to say from their own viewpoints on naval problems. They were discussing preliminary conversations with other Powers, and were now proceeding above and beyond the definite subject of naval agreement. There was a desire to make it clear to everybody that in our mutual relations tho Paris Peace Pact was a reality ahd so in joint statement a declaration to that effect was made for the first time officially by representatives of the two nations. “The United States,” continued Mr. Macdonald, “pursues with vigilant jealousy its historical policy of keeping free from all world entanglements and is, therefore, not in the League of Nations. We are in the League of Nations. We have contracted obligation* and we shall remain loyal to them. On neither side was any attempt made t« change these facts.” Mr Baldwin said: “I will not disguise from the House, though I am not greedy for power, that there was erne thing l l always hoped to do, namely go to America as Prime Minister and try personally to improve Anglo-American relations. I rejoice it has been done and I hope it will not be the last of such visits.” Mr Lloyd George said he desired to join in congratulating Mr MacDonald, . whose visit was an unquestioned success from every viewpoint. Without (real goodwill, all pacts for the abolition of war would be mere, scraps paper. Mr MacDonald, in this way had rendered real service to world peace by clearing the atmosphere and introducing a more genial element into AngloAmerican relations. He added he was the more glad, because he had doubted the wisdom of visiting America before the Five Power Conference. Mr Lloyd George said he wished, ■howower, that Mr MacDonald had told them moire of tjhe concrete results of the commitments. Was there an AngloAmerican understanding regarding cruisers, submarines, the size of guns and what was known as the freedom of ■the seas He was continuing to put other questions when Labour members shouted: “It is the wrong time.” Mr Lloyd George: “I do not think I have ' said anything to provoke Labourites. I have been studiously conciliatory and I am entitled to ask these questions. ’ ’ Had Mr MacDonald discussed in America general disarmament, and debts questions, whi>ch wfere most important to Britain. He asked was there any intention to give Britain most favoured nation treatment in respect to debts. Commander Kcuworhhy stated Mr Lloyd George’s questions were mischlorous. The whole success of the Five Power Conference would .be jeopardised if Mr MacDonald went into details.

Mr MacDonald, in replying regarding the rights of belligerents, said no promise had been made beyond the promise to consider the matter. He had not Taiaed the question of American support for general disarmament. It would be time to do this after the Five Power Conference. Ho had not discussed debts.