DISARMAMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 9 November 1927, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

SPEECH BY LLOYD GEORGE , REPLY TO SIR AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN A VIGOROUS' ATTACK (By Eleotrlo Telegraph—Copyright) iA.P.A. and "Hun";

LONDON, Sth November. Following Sir Austen Chamberlain’s characterisation of Mr Lloyd George’s warning as thoughtless and reckless, Mr Lloyd George, in a speech at an Aidwych Club luncheon, vigorously attacked Sir Austen for Grating his speech with ponderous ferocity like an outraged pedagogue, lie asked: “Is Sir Austen Chamberlain so dazzled by his own achievements that he is blind to wliat has happened, and what is going to happen? sir Austen apparently considers the country is dishonouring a solemn pledgo by not reducing armies and disarmaments, but it is too delicate a riiattei to he talked about by common people. The ‘hush hush’ policy before the war was responsible for 1U,000,000 deaths. Complete frankness was essen-' tial to peace.” Mr Lloyd George indignantly denied Austen Chamberlain was disposed to consider the Locarno Pact as the final step, whereas it should he treated simply as one of a series. “It is no use standing on the shores of Lake Mnggioro like a stork bn one leg, looking preternaturally /vise and feeling very satisfied because he has swallowed one trout.” 1

Mr Lloyd George asserted that Sir Austen would not have arbitration because he could not carry the Dominions, yet ho was willing to guarantee the eastern frontier of France, which might lead to war. Disarmament would lead to peace. i Mr Lloyd Gtorge indignantly denied suggestions that the Liberals were partyising the League of Nations.

Speaking at a League of Nations Union meeting at Queen’s Hall, Mr Lloyd George said: “When Austria, Germany, and Bulgaria were disarmed the allies undertook to follow their example. Nevertheless, to-day the Allied forces number ten millions infinitely more formidably equipped than in 1914. . . . Another war is inevitable and will be more terrible than any in the past unless the nations determine to seek justice and protection from established right, and not force. Only the League can straighten out the situation, but a League which excludes questions inconvenient to powerful nations is a sham and a snare, and sooner or later will be fatal to European peace.”