A MOMENTOUS OCCASION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18496, 5 September 1923, Page 9

A MOMENTOUS OCCASION.

WORLD ISSUES AT STAKE. LORD R. CECIL'S MESSAGE. STEP FORWARD .PREDICTED. Ely Telegraph——Copyright. (Received 9.32 p.m.) A. and N.Z. LONDON. Sent. 3. The following message from Lord Robert Cecil. head of the British delegation to the League of Nations Assembly af Geneva, was wirelessly broadcasted in London on Monday night:—"The occasion is a momentous one in history, and may well mark an epoch in the political history, of mankind. I am confident that we shall not leave Geneva without having faken further steps along the path to permanent peace among nations." ITALIAN CONFIDENCE. "THERE WILL BE NO WAR." CORFU HELD AS PLEDGE. Sun. LONDON. Sept. 3. "There will bo no war." This phrase, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily News, expresses the extremely confident view of Italian circlcs in London on the crisis, and probably also represents the official standpoint of Rome, which is disturbed by the reception accorded the precipitate Italian action, particularly Britain's attitude. For this and other material reasons, Italy does not desire to be involved in a serious Balkan war.

Corfu was occupied as a pledge for the submission of Greece following France's precedent in the Ruhr. Italy regards Greece's war resources contemptuously, and does not believe that the European Powers or the League of Nations will suceeed in driving her from Corfu. Italian officials declare that there is no intention to occupy any other territory unless Greece takes an aggressive course, and no developments may be expected at Fiume likely to further irritate Yugoslavia. The British Government appreciates the extent of the danger of the policy. Briefly, it has transferred its individual responsibility to the League and has given Lord Robert Cecil clear and definite instructions to promote action by the League to the full. The Cabinet supports this decision whereby Britain subordinates her purely national interest to the larger interest of European peace. It may be taken Tor granted that the British representatives are not concerned over the strategic consequences of the Corfu occupation, except in so far as they concern general European interests. A more undoubtedly serious turn is given to the crisis by Italy's refusal to honour her signature to the League Covenant; but there is a disposition abroad to believe that Italy has not said the last word on this matter.

A great deal turns on France's attitude. Nothing has so far happened to support the suggestion that France might promise to assist Italy in return for better Italian support of France's Ruhr policy. Indeed the Balkan situation would become so complicated in the event of war that France might find herself in an awkward position if she had openly espoused the Italian cause.

Lord Curzon's visit to M. Poincare wa? unpremeditated. It is hoped good results will follow. If France and Britain co-operate whole-heartedy in an effort, it is believed this would react favourably and brighten the prospects of a peaceful solution of tho Ruhr question. The Petit Journal hopes that Greece and Italy will reach a direct agreement, and invites the Allied Powers to offer mediation. Le Journal says there is no obligation on France to protect any portion of Greek territory.,

BRITISH LABOUR, OPINION.

DENUNCIATION OF ITALY.

CONCENTRATED BULLYING.

Australian ana N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed 10.5 p.m.) . LONDON, Sept. 3. Mr. J. R. Clynes, Labour M.P., addressing a Trades' Union demonstration at Plymouth, said : " We are entitled wholeheartedly to protest against Italy's action.. Exhibitions of concentrated bullying will never he a substitute for statesmanship.. The leaders of all nations must no longer act as though no endeavors bad been made, to provide quarrelling nations with pacific means of adjusting their differences, Autocrats, monarchs, ministries, and, cabinets throughout the world can no I' longer be allowed to take steps whicli might mean the signing away of millions of lives. ' The workers join with the res!; of the people of Britain in demanding that Italy and Greece shall go properly before the League." Mr. Clynes added that he believed that the league would pass this test. If it did not, there (would be little hope for die future of mankind for a long time to come. >

Mr.. J. B. Williams, presiding at the opening of the Trades' Union Congress, denounced Italy's action, and asked did they intend Co stand idly by and see the world's peace imperilled because of tlx© mad lust of Imperialism transferred from a Hohenzollern to Mussolini.

GERMANY AND CRISIS.

TEST OF LEAGUE JUSTICE. A. and N.Z. BERLIN, Sept. 3. The Berlin correspondent of the Times says that Germany is mainly interested in Che Italian-Greek crisis for two reasons Firstly, she may learn what sort of justice is to be expected from the League; secondly, disturbance of _ the balance of power in the Near East may react to Germany's benefit by inducing France to reduce the Ruhr commitments, but this hope is in no way generally shared. Many fear the liberation of the Ruhr by such method would prove. Dead Sea fruit.