THE THREAT OF WAR.

Southland Times, Issue 19510, 9 May 1922, Page 5

THE THREAT OF WAR.

GRAVE SPEECH BY MR THOMAS. CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE AT GENOA. LONDON, May 7. Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P., who has just returned from Berlin, speaking at a labour demonstration at Derby, offered a serious warning regarding the European situation. He did not think that even in August, 1914, they were nearer a great war than they were to-day. The standing armies of Europe were now a million stronger than in. 1914. Nations were paying taxation for a war machine out of all proportion to their needs. They were told that the Genoa Conference was on the eve of breaking up and that a train was awaiting to bring Mr Lloyd George away. The Labour Party were not among those who wished Mr Lloyd George to fail rather than have credit for doing good. The consequence of failure would be so horrible that the people of England should make their position, clear. During the war England gave ample proof of her willingness to stand by France and still wished that justice should be done her, but France must understand that; her conception of Europe and her business interests were different from England’s. France never levied taxation as she ought to have done. It was common talk in France that mobilisation had been ordered, but the great mass of the British people were sick of war and were not going to have another. They should say to France: “If you are determined to follow this policy we are not going to follow it.” Personally he believed a Soviet Government would be ruinous to England, but they could not dictate to Russia her system of Government. MR LLOYD GEORGE AND BRITISH SEAMEN. LONDON, May 7. (Received May 8, 11.30 p.m.) Addressing British seamen at the Sailors' Home at Genoa, Mr Lloyd George said he too had to encounter rough weather and tempestuous waves. He urged courage in facing difficulties, adding: “If we cannot get through let us go down like men.”