NAVAL ECONOMY

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1929, Page 9

NAVAL ECONOMY

CONCORD WITH AMERICA BRITISH PREMIER’S MISSION CONFIDENCE IN SUCCESS FAREWELL MESSAGE GIVEN British Official Wireless. * .Rugby, Sept. 27. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, who leaves London for Southampton to-night, and will sail on the Berengaria early tomorrow morning will take to the United States goo<F wishes of all his countrymen for the successful termination of his mission. The Manchester Guardian today states that the people of all parties join in the belief that the forthcoming Washington understanding, of which the foundations were laid by all the British parties, will mark a date in history. The visit is to be of the nature of a concord between the two nations and something should be settled at Washington for the flvePowcr conference, the problem that lies ahead, and which must be solved before disarmament in earnest can be launched. The Guardian concludes from the abscence of any naval expert from the Prime Minister’s party that full agreement is reached and accepted by tire British Admiralty.. Those accompanying Mr. MacDonald are Sir Robert .Vansittart, who is his principal private as he was to the ex-Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, and who is also Under-Secretary at the Foreign Office and late head of the American Department there; Mr. Thomas Jones, who has been deputy secretary to the Cabinet during the terms of office of the last four Primo Ministers and Mr. Robert Graigie, present head of bhe American Department at the Foreign Office, while the ladies of the party are Miss Ishbel MacDonald, the Prime Minister’s daughter, and Iris private secretary Miss Rosenberg. VOYAGE OF EXPLORATION. The Daily Herald to-day reproduces n letter from Mr. MacDonald in which, referring to his ability to attend the annual conference of the Labour party, which will take place during his absence, he says.— “I go on a voyage of exploration The greatest contribution whihh the generation can make to the history ef tho world is to establish peace amongst the nations, and to induce th tut to feel a sense of security. The United Slates and ourselves, having tho same objects, Should proclaim them with a unilc-d voice. Good and cordial relations between us two can change t’m outlook for peace and give the world an energetic faith, instead of hesitating scepticism. Igo away to see what can bo done, and, with the help of my colleagues in the Labour movement and of every influence making for peace, who dares to say that success is impossible?” The. Prime Minister made the following statement to the press—“l am looking forward very- much to my visit to the United States and Canada, and to the renewal of old and the making of new friendships there. But of course, this is an official visit and is concerned with public affairs. I do not expect my stay in Washington to lead to spectacular developments. One reason for this is that the current negotiations concerning naval disarmament have been carried so far that they have now to bo brought to the wider international stage. Before there could be any progress in naval disarmament it was necessary for Washington and London to devise means for terminating tho deadlock which had risen between them at the Geneva Conference in 1927. CONTRIBUTION TO DISARMAMENT. “I am glad to say we have made such good progress in this work that the moment has, we hope, come when the five naval Powers who signed the Washington treaties can bo invited to join and ensure a common and happy issue to the conference. If all goes well the five-Power conference will be held early in the New Year. If it succeeds it will supply the Preparatory Disarmament Commission of the League of Nations with a substantial contribution to naval disarmament. The Preparatory Commission would then be free to proceed with its general work, and fit will later on be possible for the League of Nations to summon a general disarmament conference of all nations, to wards which it has long been working.”

The Primo Minister added: “Such briefly, is the situation regarding disarmament, but that is not the only imfulse that moves me to go to America. want very much to see President Hoover once again and to meet other American- public men, many of whom I know already. We have so much work to do, which cannot be done unless we understand and have confidence in each other. “Tho history of tho Anglo-American naval situation during the past three years proves, if proof is needed, that' closest possible understanding between the two nations is of the greatest importance,. not only for those nations but for the world, J have always felt that personal contact between those actually responsible for the Government in Washington and London is essential if that understanding is to be developed as fully as we all wish it to be. Both nations have a great role to play in the advancement, not only of disarmament but of many other democratic and moral issues with which their history is associated. I am off in tho hope of being able to do something to narrow the Atlantic.” MESSAGE FROM THE KING. Tho Prime Minister received the following mesago from tho King:—. “On the eve of your journey I wish you God speed. It is a departure that will be surrounded with good wishes, for it is a contribution to those happy relations between two great peoples which must be an article of faith among all men of goodwill.” Mr. MacDonald replied: “With my humble duty to jour Majesty I am deeply grateful for your Majesty’s gracious and kindly thought in sending tye good wishes, for the journey which

will indeed, I trust, be a fruitful innovation.” The Primo Minister also received the following mesage from Sir Kynaston Studd, Lord ‘Mayor of London: “The citizens of London are taking a keen interest in your visit to America and heartily wish you a successful issue, a pleasant voyage and a safe return.” Mr. MacDonald replied: “I very much appreciate your kind message. It is a real encouragement to me on the eve of sailing and helpful to me in my mission to feel I am accompanied by such good wishes from the citizens of London.” Numerous other messages reached the Prime Minister from various quarters conveying good wishes. Mr. Baldwin, Conservative ex-Prime Minister, who has just returned from a holiday at Aix-les-Bains, visited the Primo Minister to-day and wished him bon voyage and success in his mission to America. WARM FAREWELL IN LONDON. CROWD AT WATERLOO STATION. Received Sept. .29, 5.5 p.m. London, Sept 28. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald had a wonderful send-off on his historic mission to the United States. Crowds gathered.at Waterloo Station in the evening to witness his departure to Southampton for the steamer Berengaria. Distinguished people had to fight their way through thousands to reach the platform and during the struggle Mr. Tom Shaw, Minister of Wpr, lost his watch. The United States Ambassador, General Dawes, and many members of the Cabinet were waiting when the Premier with his daughter Ishbel arrived. There were resounding cheers when Mr. MacDonald and Ishbel stood together for the photographers and then the Premier and General Dawes faced the battery of cameras. The train slowly steamed out 15 minutes later amid redoubled cheers and the singing of “He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” completely drowning the “Red Flag.” On arrival at Southampton the Premier was looking tired but otherwise well. He was conducted to the luxurious selfcontained su : te which was intended for the ex-Kaiser before the ivar, when the Berengaria was called the Imperator. AMERICA HAILS THE VISIT. “THE MOMENT IS AUSPICIOUS.” Received Sept. 29, 11.30 p.m. New York, Sept. 28. The Press hails Mr. MacDonald’s departure for the United States. The New York Herald says: “There is something momentous in the thought that the Prime Minister is now on his way to the United States. Historians will be able to assess the full significance of his visit when the mission is thoroughly understood. The moment is indeed auspicious, and statesmen of both Powers should strain every nerve to take full advantage thereof.” The New York Times deplores the French tendency to sec Anglo-American friendship as Anglo-Saxon domination over the world and stresses that the Anglo-American rapproachment is “an enormous gain for security. When the two countries agree among themselves they will make an enormous contribution to the general peace.” The New York Herald says: “The visit involves recognition of the profound community of interest between the United States and Britairt which lies beneath the surface of the differences over cruisers, debts and the like.” “As. I sense the prevailing sentiment of this country towards Mr MacDonald’s visit it is one of ayarm welcome to him personally and sincere hope that he and President Hoover may completely succeed in their negotiations,” said Sir Esine Howard, British Ambassador, in an interview at Washington. Most of Mr. MacDonald’s time in America will be spent with President Hoover either at the White House or at the President’s new fishing camp at Virginia. The plan is to leave tho two leaders much together so that they may smooth away the existing difficulties and prepare for a final agreement, if possible, at the coming naval conference.