The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1924. THE WILL TO PEACE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11786, 24 March 1924, Page 6

The New Zealand Times. MONDAY, MARCH 24, 1924. THE WILL TO PEACE

With great tact, yet with great force, Sir Esme Howard, the new British Ambassador at Washington, has made an appeal to the citizens of the United States to do all in their power to help to create the will to peace. Backed pp as it was by M. Jusserand, the French Ambassador, this appeal, mada by Sir Esme Howard in his first address in America, at a dinner given in his honour by the Pilgrim Club, cannot but carry the greatest weight, both with the people of the United States and with the Administration. Stressing the vital importance of "the will to peace,” the British Ambassador pointed out that ‘‘with each determination against war its possibility becomes more and more remote.” The United States, he predicted, is destined to work for permanent peace in Europe, and not to permit Europe to stew in its own juice; while, countering the charge that America has taken up an attitude of “splendid isolation” in regard to the affairs of Europe, he declared that under President Harding America was not splendidly isolated, but rather splendidly helpful in many ways, and now, under President Ooolidge, was doing her best, through the instrumentality of her experts on the Reparations Commission, to straighten out that tangled skein. Sir Esme Howard’s speech was delivered in New York; and it is noteworthy that a cablegram of the same date as that reporting his address, states that the “New York Times” correspondent in Washington says that President Coolidge had informed tho Press correspondents that an amicable settlement, acceptable to France and the other countries involved was very near, on the basis of considerations which were being prepared by the Commission that is examining the question of reparations. Mr Hughes (United States Secretary of State) receives daily advice of the progress of the negotiations, and he, too, we are told, holds the opinion that there will shortly be agreement on all vita) points. The President, while saying that he did not wish to raise false hopes, because the situation was such that it would be dangerous to draw definite conclusions, stated that the best information indicates that the long-outstanding European dispute will be adjusted, with resulting stabilisation of conditions leading to prosperity. This is the beet news with regard to the situation in Europe that has come to hand for many a long day; and it is sincerely to be hoped that these foreshadowings of a speedy settlement will very shortly be realised.

While the reports of the Experts Committees are not expected to he ready until the end of this month or the beginning of April, their drift has already been indicated in communiques that are clearly inspired. Indeed, the “New York Tribune” states that Wall street, in conjunction with British and Continental financial interests, will begin arranging tho machinery for the distribution of an international loan to Germany early this

summer, along the lines understood to be suggested by the Dawes Committee’s report; that is to say, on the lines of the help already extended under the auspices of the League of Nations to Austria and Hungary. The Pierpont Morgan Company, adds the “Tribune,” is known to be ready at 6liort notice to undertake such commitments as are calculated to restore Europe to a normal basis. The total amount of the international loan to Germany is not expected to exceed 250 or 300 million dollars —at par exchange £50,000,000 to £60,000,000; and of this, not more than 100 million dollars (£20,000,000) is likely to he arranged in the United States. It is good indeed to learn that observers are convinced that both French and German approval is assured for such a Joan.