THE ROAD TO PEACE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16801, 14 November 1928, Page 11

THE ROAD TO PEACE

POLICY OF CO-OPERATION DEBATE IN COMMONS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Presa Assnd (Australian Press Assn.— United' Service.) (■Received Nov. 11, 3 p:.m.) LONDON, Nov. 13. Continuing the debate in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George said the basis of t'he British foreign policy .should be friendship and co-operation between all nations on the basis of the League covenant mid the Kellogg Pact. The real tesl of Locarno was the progress of disarmament, whereon (In 1 Anglo-French agreement was a sinister comment. Il,e had been told thai it had all been (hopped, but sure- !;,- the House had somot'hing to say, iiul it a suspicion llia.f America was eliminated? Anyone imagining so had better rear! President Coolidge's speech. His announcement of the building of 1;"> ehiis'-rs was one effect nf tin Anglo-French agreement. France clearly was under the impression that we -were bound to the principles of the pact. Mr. Baldwin had declared that the pact was the keystone of Locarno, but the keystone there was the refusal to evacuate the Kliiiielainl, although we were bound to that course the moment Germany was fulfilling her obligations. On the contrary the signatory Powers increased their armaments, lie thought he could demonstrate thai our armaments had increased.

Ministerial cries of "No," and "Prove it."

The Air Force figures had certainly increased the good understanding with America, which was more important than aumost any country, because the peace of the world depended thereon. Anyone assuming tha't an Anglo-Ame-rican conflict was possible .should be treated as a dangerous lunatic. The only thing to do was to get bade to Earl Balfour's Washington policy, Mr. Baldwin shoufrl make clear that he had abandoned the Anglo-French pact, both in the letter and the spirit.

The Russian disarmament proposition should not have been treated as a laughing matter. When she economically; recovered she would be a formidable factor, with almost limitless man power. There could be no peace in Europe until the Allies carried out their disarmament obligations.

Air. Baldwin regretted having to complain of some of Mr. -Lloyd George's statements in the course of his article in the foreign press. "They make our task more difficult," he said, "and. will make it impossible for him if he returns to office and has to deal with foreign statesmen. It does not help when Mr. Lloyd George writes about 'Britain's subservience to France,' and 'the intolerable condition of the Eastern frontier of Germany.' ''

Mr. Lloyd George said he did not remember using the latter phrase, though he had always protested against the Silesiait award. Mr. Baldwin: "I've .nil the details before me. lam appealing to you to stop it."