WORLD PEACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22100, 4 May 1935, Page 13

WORLD PEACE

british_ POLICY ARMS LIMITATION PLEA TO" GERMANY CO-OPERATION NEEDED PISPEKSINO DANGERS Telegraph—Press: Asuocintion—Coriyripht BriUsh Wireless RUOBY. May 2 The eagerly-awaited debate on foreign affairs in the House of Commons to-daiy was notable for the firm declaration of British policy by the Prime Minister.

" Our policy," said Mr. MacDonald, " is n<jit aimed at military alliances, but s;fc the widest pos-

gible co-operation. Every other nation will be welcomed. This fr«se companionship of outlook—l s?,y this with great conviction and considerable intimacy of knowledgehas chances of appeasement as well as palpable da'cigei'B. " It is the constant care of Britain to help on the chances that must come from negotiated agreements without disturbance to the peace of Europe or the vrorld." Mr. MacDonfild made an earnest plea for Germs.:n co-operation in the maintenance of peace and limitation of armaments, especially in tho air. Tracing the events which have occurred since February 3, the Prime Minister recalled the London declaration of that date. He stated that one of the objects the negotiators contemplated was freely to negotiate an armaments pac'i with Germany and other Powers to take the place of the military clause!) iin the Versailles Treaty. S

If that could ba done successfully the greater parb of the immediate dangers in Europe would disappear.,

German Roarmlng Deplored

Clearly the London declaration indicated that the;?' were moving away from the Versailles regime and we re entering upon a, European relationship based upon free negotiations for security and of armed strength. On February 3 Governments like the British, which had begun patiently tc re-establish goodwill in Europe, had good cause for feeling that the prospects were improving and when, shortly afterwards, Germany accepted the declaration, at any rate as a basis for discussion, their hope was strengthened.

It was greatly to be deplored that at that moment the German Government annoijnced its intention to impose conscription and take immediate! steps to raise the peace strength of itsi army to 550,0(10. as well as to create a military Air' Force. :i

While the historian must deal with the trend of events, the politician haSI to face the actual situation practically and objectively,, and, one hoped, with calm Common sense. The politician had to decide between abandoning an attempt to build up on general Confidence a peace* system in Europe or looking: for reFiuiP in those combinations of sheer force which had neveir yet saved him from war. and never would.

London Declaration Proposals

When they considered the future it was as well to know that Herr Hitler had said that although he would sign nothing which he felt he could not carry out, yet if he cave an undertaking he would never break it. Be it also noted that Herr Hitler had publiclv declared the readiness and determination of the German Government to accept both the spirit and letter of the Locarno Fact

The declaration of February 3 zave general satisfaction all over Europe boeause it promised the beginning of a sound European settlement. Nothing had been done nt Sitresa which changed that declaration Fndeed. the test of the Stresa conclusions reaffirmed, point after point, the Loudon communique, and it was important that this should be emphasised The London declaration made proposals for the nnding of certain Central and Eastern European fears and unselttlement by a system of non -interference and mutual security pacts. Britain was not directly affected by those proposals, but looked upon them, or any variation of them which might be made in order to secure the desired result, with a friendly eye, and its, advice, wherever that seemed welcome or useful, was tlhat negotiations should be put through with the idea of producing something really effective. Germany and Eastern Europe In regard to Central Europe, said Mr. Mac Donald,, the Italian Government proposed b convoke a meeting of Governments concerned, including Germany, to discuss n scheme. f lbe British Government n'ould not bp represented at Rome by a delegation, because it was well understood that it was not undertaking any new commitments in this regard. However, it would be represented by an observer so that it might, be kepi: in the closest touch with the course of' the discussions and could contribute in any wav that seemed to it Useful and proper. As regards (Cistern Europe, Germany was especially able to make a valuable contribution to the svstem of security in that region The German Leader-Chancellor, during Sir John Simon's visit to Berlin, declared 'his willingness. 'in principle, to negotiate a multiple non-aggressive pact with Knstern European countries. Collective Security Plan Although i;lie,v had hoped thai; Germany would bo- prepared to join in a more comprehensive arrangement, nevertheless,' proposals put forward by Herr Hniler ought not be allowed to drop, anil they trusted Germany herself would take immediate stapa to promote, in more concrete shape, the idea which thei -Leader-Chancellor had formulated.

11 if re \va<s, no reason why such a nonaggression pact should not harmonise with tho mutual guarantee pact which trance and other Governments were now negotiating and. indeed, in his (Mr. MacDonaid's) opinion, tbe two conld very well supplement each ether and thus help toward creating a complete systern of collective security in Eastern Europe.