CAUSE OF PEACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19929, 24 April 1928, Page 11

CAUSE OF PEACE.

OPPORTUNITY FOR POWERS* PACT SHOULD BE SIGNED. (Received April 23, 9.50 p.m.) Times Cable. LONDON, April 23. In the course of a leading article the Times says there is nothing to prevent tha various Governments from seizing tha opportunity which the French and American Notes have unexpectedly given of advancing the cause of peace. It is not true that Europe generally is hesitating and reserved toward the proposal of the United States. The acceptance of the proposed pact would not imply the weakening of the covenant of the League of Nations, and of the Locarno Pact. Indeed, the most important commitments would not conflict with Mr. Kellogg's suggestions.

France may have to consider offensive and defensive alliances, says the paper. For example, she must assist Poland in case of attack, but if Germany, Poland and France signed the pact the risk of an attack on Poland would bo seriously diminished. Although it is harder to bring the persistent Russian anomaly within the scope of a general renunciation of war, there is not the slightest reason why the Powers, untramelled by commitments, should not at the earliest possible date signify their agreement to enter into negotiations. Such action is their plain duty.