LEADER OF EUROPE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12424, 19 April 1926, Page 7

LEADER OF EUROPE

GREAT BRITAIN—OR RUSSIA? 1 SOVIET NOW WOQING GERMANY INTRIGUE AGA’NST LEAGUE f Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, .vustraliafc, and N.Z. Cablo Association (Received April 18, 11.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 18. The political situation in Europe, combined with the uncertainty of the industrial situation in Britain, is causing considerable anxiety. M. Chicherin's intrigues, resulting in Russo-Ger-man negotiations for a treaty, and offers of a pact to Poland and the border States, are most embarrassing, and are regarded as tending to shitt the centre of diplomacy to the East. The Soviet’s policy is directed apparently to creating a diversion against the League, while-the prospect of Russia obtaining capital from America by linking up with Germany cannot be ignored. M. Chicherin thus ■would he able to circumvent British aloofness. BRITISH POLICY WISE? In this connection, Mr J. L. Garrin, in a striking two-column article In the “Observer, says: “If London and Paris do not seek their own direct settlements with Russia they must take the consequences.” It is interesting to note that four prominent Conservative members of

the House of Commons—Sir Frank Nelson, Colonel IV. G. Moore, Captain It. C. Bourne, and Mr J. G. Boothby—departed yesterday for Russia. It is believed that their report is eagerly anticipated by Mr Baldwin and by the leading bankers, and that it may have an important bearing on the British attitude towards Russia. THE GENEVA CONFERENCE Unfortunately the preparatory disarmament conference and the League dissensions tend to strengthen the Soviet’s position. The Soviet’s isolation is attracting the neighbouring States to its orbit. In the meantime there is much speculation regarding the announcement that Sir Austen Chamlberlain will not attend the disarmament conference on April sth, especially as it understood that he and M. Paul Boncour, who is head of the French delegation, have not been on the friendliest terms since the Geneva imbroglio. It is said that Sir Austen cannot be spared in view of the industrial situation here, and it is also reported that Mr Baldwin and other members of the Cabinet are concerned at the prospect of a Russo-German agreement, and feel that coming events are very likely to require the immediate attention of the chief of the Foreign Office. At any rate Lord Cecil unquestionably will prove a stern and unbending defender of the League Constitution, and is unlikely to surrender any of its prerogative, whereas Sir Austen Chamberlain’s pro-French proclivities might lead to concessions. TROUBLES AT HOME So far as the Home situation is concerned, while the coal crisis has occupied most attention, and may even load to jdle coalfields, there is reason to believe that Cabinet at the moment is more concerned about the engineering dispute, involving light, power, and transport. These matters, however, are expected to come to a head in a few days, whereas the intemational complications seemingly are interminable.