PEACE-SEEKING NATIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19953, 23 May 1928, Page 11

PEACE-SEEKING NATIONS

[RENUNCIATION OF WAR. MULTILATERAL PACT PLAN. FOTES TO THE DOMINIONS. ADHERENCE INVITED. KELLOGG MOVES FURTHER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Association. (Received May 22, 5.55 p.m.) WASHINGTON. May 21. The Secretary of State, Mr. F. B. Kellogg, announces that in the British Note in reply to the proposal of the United Stales for a pact to outlaw war, Sir Austen Chamberlain, Foreign Secretary, informed the Government of the United States that the British Government had been in communication with the Governments of the Dominions and India. He had ascertained that they were all in cordial agreement as to the general principle of the proposed multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. Sir Austen added that he felt confident the Governments of the Dominions and Tndia v ere prepared to accept an invitation to take part in the conclusion of such a treaty. The United States Government received this information with very keen satisfaction. Telegraphic instruction had been sent to-day to the American Ministers at Ottawa and Dublin and to the American Ambassador in London, to deliver to-mor-row Notes inviting the Governments of the Dominions and India to become original parties to a multilateral treaty for the renunciation of war. The United States Government had proposed the simultaneous publication of the text of these invitations next Friday ingFeeling of Optimism Aroused. All the invitations are understood to be couched in identical terms and to contain statements of what has occurred in accordance with Sir Austen's recommendations. It is predicted that the State Department's next step may consist merely of a resubmission of the original telegraphed treaty. It is hoped that all that will be necessary can be set forth in an additional article, or perhaps in a preamble confirming the understandings and the interpretations reached through the diplomatic exchanges which have occurred. / It is not known whether an invitation to other nations to adhere to the pact will be sent before any treaty is signed. However Mr. Kellogg has made it clear that all Governments will bo encouraged to adhere to the pact. Further study of the British Note today by the State Department confirmed the first impressions and led to a feeling of optimism. That was increased by a newspaper report from Paris that the French Government is substantially, if not completely, in accord with Sir Austen's views. Britain's Self-defence Policy. However, there is no diminution in American opposition to the fourth article of the French draft treaty specifying that the contemplated convention shall not abridge the structure of all the existing treaties. The hope is expressed in Washington that the British Note will stand eventually as an unqualified acceptance of Mr. Kellogg's draft. It is now felt that Article 10 of Sir Austen's Note may be found to be only a specific declaration of Britain's intention to defend all her lines of communication. In that casa it would amount merely to a definition of self-defence rather than to a reservation. It is pointed out that Mr. Kellogg has already declared that the right of self-defence is inherent in any treaty. Officials to-day oppose the suggestion that an international conference might be the best means of adjusting all differences. They feel that the diplomatic communications exchanged constitute in themselves complete definitions of the understanding upon which the Powers are acting. It is admitted, however, that if these same understandings were contained briefly and comprehensively, possibly in the preamble of the treaty, they would, through ratification by the Senate and by the various Parliaments, take on a force they do not contain in their present form. DISARMAMENT POLICY. 1919 STANDARD AS BASIS. BALDWIN ANSWERS PETITION. Australian Press Association —United Service (Received May 22, 5.35 p.m.) LONDON. May 22. The Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, has received a petition bearing 100,000 signatures asking for the acceptance of the 1919 standard of disarmament' as a basis for general disarmament. In a letter to the National Council for the prevention of war, acknowledging receipt of the petition, he says the maintenance of peace and the prevention of war have inspired the whole foreign policy of the Government. Mr. Baldwin says the Government hopes still further to reduce armaments through common action in agreement with the other- Powers. If Britain alone proceeded further to disarm there was no guarantee that other nations would follow her example. No British Government dared run this risk. It would make Britain a prey for hostile forces, excite cupidity and hostile intention and encourage instead of prevent war. Any further steps toward disarmament must be taken as a result of combined action by all countries. Tho British Government would co-operate in work of this nature, but it was impossible to give a pledge in advance that any given standard of disarmament would be adopted.