EUROPEAN PEACE.

Wairarapa Age, 18 March 1925, Page 5

EUROPEAN PEACE.

IN STATE OF FLUX. FRENCH PRESS CREATES A STIR. (Received 7.55 p.m.) LONDON, March 17.—Mr Chamberlain reached London this morning. The conclusion of his Paris conversations naturally loosed a mass of speculation, but few facts are available for the adequate reason that the whole matter is in a state of flux.

Subsequent events depend on diplomatic negotiations, and the precise nature of President Coolidge’s proposal which as yet is not clear here. Meantime a lengthy article in the Paris “Matin,” alleging that differences in the British Cabinet led to Mr Chamberlain going to Geneva without any policy, has caused a considerable stir.

The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says tlje article is partly accurate and partly inaccurate. It is no secret that Viscount Curzon and the Hon. L. C. S. Amery are among the most resolute opponents of an Anglo-Belgian-Franco pact, but what clinched the discussions in Cabinet was Earl Balfour’s advocacy of a wider mutual pact, including Italy and Germany. The only difference between Mr Chamberlain and his colleagues was that he upheld the Tripartite pact as an alternative to the protocol as tho first stage, and Germany’s entry being the second, whereas the majority favoured merging in stages.

“L’Matin” suggests at one time that Mr Chamberlain was on the point of resigning, and the correspondent admits that there have been rumours of this nature not only in connection wiQi Mr Chamberlain, but others, out Ministerial resignations over mere divergencies of opinion within the Cabinet'are now out of date.”—(A. and N.Z.)