PEACE TREATY

Southland Times, Issue 20489, 17 May 1928, Page 5

PEACE TREATY

AMERICAN PROPOSALS DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF LORDS ACCEPTANCE OF PRINCIPLES URGED (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) Rugby, May 15. The American proposals for a multilateral treaty renouncing war as an instrument of national policy were discussed in the House of Lords to-day. The debate was initiated by the Marquess of Reading, one of the Liberal leaders and a former Viceroy of India. Lord Reading moved: "That this House cordially welcomes the proposals of the United States Goernment for the renunciation of war and whilst recognizing the desire of his Majesty’s Government to co-operate in securing the peace of the world is of opinion that prompt and favourable consideration should be given to these proposals, and that his Majesty’s Government should declare their acceptance of the principles embodied in the proposed treaties to the United States Government.” Lord Reading said he wished to pay a tribute of warm appreciation to the efforts persistently and consistently made by the Government and Foreign Secretary to secure the peace of the world. The American proposals were of great moment and it had been shown bj’ the discussions in the House of Commons that they were welcomed by all parties in this country. We should receive these proposals as they were conceived in friendliness, ;n sympathy and in a whole-hearted desire io co-operate in securing world peace. We should have no hesitation in our acceptance of these proposals from America. She had made the greatest step forward towards peace that has yet been taken. Despite all that had been done by the nations to. assure peace, disarmament had not yet taken place and the nations did not feel sure of the position. Till America came in and took her part other nations did feel some lack of confidence, not in the intentions of those who were signing treaties, but because so long as America stood without and did not come within there was an incalculable force upon which it was impossible to reckon. No one could quite say whether she would intervene or whether she would not in case, there should be threats of war, and now America asked the nations to join in a treaty so simple,and yet so wide and comprehensive that he believed there could be no real objection to the acceptance of it in its present terms. For the first time the Powers were asked to agree with the United States that in future every dispute, whatever its origin and implications and consequences, should be settled by pacific means by some tribunal to be agreed upon. It had been said that the proposal amounted to nothing more than a platitude, but there was all the difference in the world between a platitude and a solemn declaration by six great Powers of their agreement that henceforth they would resort only to pacific means to settle their disputes. Lord Reading submitted that there was no inconsistency between the terms of this treaty and British obligations under the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Treaty of Locarno and other treaties. We retained our right to self-defence and our liberty of action in case one of the parties should break the treaty. He asked the House to dismiss doubts and hesitations from their minds and express their opinion in favour of the treaty as it stood. We should not reach the millenium by signing this treaty, but we should be taking a great step forward towards securing the peace of the world. Lord Parmoor, who represented Britain on the Council of the League of Nations while the Labour Government was in office, supported the resolution.

Lord Cushendun, the present British representative on the League Council, replied for the Government. He said the Govern-

ment entirely agreed with all that Lord Reading had said about the American proposals, but it was only a few days ago that the proposals had been discussed in the House of Commons and there was little he could add to what the Foreign Secretary had then said. Lord Reading had seemed to imply that he detected some hesitation and lack of eagerness on the part of the Government towards these proposals. This was quite unfounded. It was of the utmost importance that before signing any treaty all parties to it should make certain that they were agreed upon its meaning; otherwise there were misunderstandings which led to very evil consequences and which indirectly cast a doubt upon the efficacy of agreements of this sort. There was no difference of opinion in the House regarding the character of these proposals, but nevertheless he hoped Lord Reading would not insist on the formal acceptance of his resolution. There was nothing in it to which the Government objected, but perhaps it was a little lacking in precision, and they were discussing an international document which had not yet been signed. Viscount Cecil, of Chelwood, a Conservative who also formerly represented Britain on the League Council, welcomed the proposals. He hoped there would be no undue delay in declaring our acceptance. He felt very strongly that the acceptance of the treaty for the renunciation of war did not lessen in any way the necessity for pressing forward with the League of Nations efforts to extend arbitration and reduction and limitation of armaments. The Archbishop of Canterbury said it would be most unfortunate if the motion were withdrawn. The proposals of the United States stood out as among the most remarkable in the history of civilization. Lord Cushendun said he had not intended in anything he said to suggest that Lord Reading should withdraw his motion. He was quite willing on behalf of the Government to accept it. Lord Reading’s resolution was then agreed to unanimously.—British Official Wireless. CANADA’S APPROVAL. (Rec. 11.35 p.m.) Ottawa, May 16. The Premier, Mr Mackenzie King, commenting on Mr Kellogg’s proposal for the outlawing of war, expressed the view that Canada would accept the proposals when invited to do so.—Australian Press Associa-tion-United Service. JAPAN ACCEPTS PROPOSALS. (Rec. 11.0 p.m.) Tokio, May 16. Cabinet definitely decided to accept the American anti-war proposal. A formal reply will be sent later containing suggestions for minor modifications.—Australain Press Association.