OUTLAWRY OF WAR

Southland Times, Issue 20496, 26 May 1928, Page 8

OUTLAWRY OF WAR

AMERICAN PEACE PACT SPECIFIC INVITATION TO DOMINIONS ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR COATES (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, May 25. The Premier announced to-day the receipt from his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain the text of the following communication addressed by the United States Ambassador in London to the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and received by the Secretary of State on the 22nd inst.: — Sir, In the Note which you addressed to me on May 19, 1928, you were good enough to inform my Government that his Majesty’s Government in Great Britain has been in communication with his Majesty’s Governments and with the Government of India and had ascertained that they were all in cordial agreement with the general principle of a multi-lateral treaty for the renunciation of war which the Government of the United States proposed on April 13, 1928. You added that you felt confident therefore that his Majesty’s Governments in the Dominions and the Government of India were prepared to accept an invitation to participate in the conclusion of such a treaty as that proposed by the Government of the United States. I have been instructed to state to you that my Government has received f his information with the keenest satisfaction. My Government has hoped from the outset of the present negotiations that the Governments of the Dominions and the Government of India wmuld feel disposed to become parties to the suggested anti-war treaty. It is, moreover. most gratifying to the Government of the United States to learn that his Majesty’s Governments in the Dominions and the Government of India are so favourably inclined towards a treaty for the renunciation of war which my Government proposed on April 13, 1928, as to wish to participate therein individually and as original signatories, and my Government for its part is most happy to accede to the suggestion contained in your Note to me of May 19, 1928. Accordingly, I have been instructed to extend through you to his Majesty’s Governments in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and to the Government of India a cordial invitation in the name of the Government of the United States to become original parties to a treaty for the renunciation of war. which is now under consideration. Pursuant to my instructions I also have the honour to inform you that the Government of the United States will address, through you, to his Majesty’s Governments in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and to the Government of India at the same time and in the same manner as to other Governments whose participation in the proposed treaty in the first instance is contemplated any future communications which it may make on the subject of the treaty after it has been acquainted with the views of all the Governments to which its Note of April 13, 1928, was addressed. “I have the honour to be with the highest consideration, sir, your most obedient and humble servant, A. B. Houghton.” The terms of the reply to be sent by the New Zealand Government will be published as soon as possible. CANADA ACCEPTS PROPOSALS. (United Press Assn. —By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 9.4 p.m.) Ottawa, May 24. Canada’s reply to the United States’ invitation regarding the renunciation of war treaty will be forwarded to Washington next week and will be favourable.—Australian Press Association.