LEAGUE OF PEACE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCIV, Issue 14452, 26 May 1911, Page 5

LEAGUE OF PEACE.

SIR EDWABD GREY SPEAKS OF THE SCHEME.

Press Association—By Tel.—Copyright.

LONDON, Hay 24. • At the Pilgrims' banquet to the Premiers, at which Lord 1 Roberts presided, Sir Edward Grey, Minister of Foreign Affairs, dwelt in enthusiastic tones on the projected Anglo-American arbitration treaty, and said the success of such a treaty must be dependent on the absence of any possibility of conflict of national policies by the two parties thereto. This condition was assured: Secondly, there inusb be between the two Governments confidence in each other's 'reasonableness and goodwill. The history of the last few years showed that reaso-ableness and goodwill were characteristic of all negotiations between them. If it was true that the proposed treaty merely sealed a satisfactory state of things already existing, let them seal it. If not, it was like the unprofitable talent wrapped in a napkin. There would be people in other countries asking whether they too could not do likewise. This would lead 1 to sifting and weighing the onuses of difference between the nations, with progressively favourable results. They could rejoice- if President Taft's initiative led, directlv or indirectly, to beneficial consequences to others.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier and Sir Joseph Ward responded."

MR DEAKIN'S OPINION

MELBOURNE May 24. Mr Deakin, in his Empire Dav speeoh, declared that tliero were two alternatives to adopt. One was the creation of a world-wide tribunal to enforce its decrees on' all peoples. If that were not possible, they must depend upon themselves at the cost of war" to prevent the Empire tumbling into ruins. Complete efficiency in defence was necessary for our existence. japan willing to join. TOKIO, May 24. It is officially stated that Japan is prepared to participate in the negotiations for a general arbitration treaty witih the United States. *