WITH ONE VOICE

Northern Advocate, 23 May 1928, Page 5

WITH ONE VOICE

BRITISH EMPIRE ASSENT KELLOGG PEACE PLAN. AMERICAN GRATIFICATION,

(Australian Press' Association.) (Received 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, May 2L 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 Doj minions and India and has ascertained j that they are all in cordial agreement jon the general principle of a multilateral treaty for renunciation of war. Sir Austen added that he felt confident the Dominions and the Government of India were prepared to accept an invitation to participate in the conclusion of such a treaty. “The United States has received, this information with the keenest satisfaction. Telegraphic instruction was today sent to the American Ministers at Ottawa and Dublin, and the American Ambassador at London, to deliver tomorrow notes inviting the Dominions’ Governments and the Government of India to become original parties to a multilateral treaty for’ the renunciation of war. The United States Government has proposed simultaneous publication of the text of the invitations next Friday morning.” All the invitations, it is understood, will be identical and will contain statements of what has occurred, in accordance with Sir Austen Chamberain's recommendations, A forecast indicates that the State Department’s next step may consist merely of re-submittal, of the original telegraphed treaty. The hope is that all that will be necessary can be set forth in an additional article, or perhaps in a preamble confirming the understanding and interpretations reached through diplomatic exchanges which have occurred. , ’ It is not known whether ah invitation to other nations to express adherence may be sent before any treaty is signed. Mr Kellogg, however, has made it clear that all governments would be encouraged to adhere to the pact.

Further study of the British ' Note today by the State Department confirmed first impressions and led to optimism that *was increased by a Paris report that the French ..Government will be substantially, if not com-

pletely, in accord with Sir Austen Chamberlain’s views. There is,' however, no diminution in American oppo* sition to the fourth article of the French draft, specifying that,'the' contemplated convention shall not abridge the structure of all existing treaties. The hope here is that the- British’ Note will stand eventually as unqualified acceptance of Mr.. .Kellogg’s draft.

Article 10 of Sir Austen Chamberlain’s Note, it is now felt, may, be found to be only a specific declaration of Britain’s intention to defend- all its lines of communications, in which cfise it would amount merely to a definition of self-defence rather than reservation. It is pointed out that Mr Kellogg has already declared that the right loih selfdefence was inherent in any- treaty. Officials today opposed the suggestion that an international conference might be the best means of adjusting all differences. They felt that the exchange of diplomatic communications constituted in itself complete definitions of the understandings 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.

DISARMAMENT BA£IS. '

COMBINED ACTION ESSENTIAL,

(Australian Press Assn.—United Service.)

(Received 8.50 a.m.) LONDON, May 22,

Mr Baldwin, in acknowledging a petition containing 100,000 signatures, asking for acceptance of the 1919 standard of disarmament as the basis of general disarmament, wrote to • the National Council for Prevention of War, stating that maintenance of peace and prevention of war inspired the whole foreign policy of the Government. He hoped to still further reduce armaments through common action and agreement with other nations. If Britain alone proceeded to further 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 cupidity and hostile intention, and encourage instead

of preventing war. Further disarmament steps must be * the result of the combined action of all countries. The Government would cooperate in work of this nature, but it was impossible to pledge in advance that any given standard of disarmament would be adopted.