NEED OF PEACE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 October 1929, Page 5

NEED OF PEACE.

APPEAL TO MANKIND.

BY BRITISH PRIME MINISTER. Press Association -E-iectrie Telecraph-CoDyrigt NEW YORK, Friday. In an address to-night before the Council of Foreign Relations, the British Prime Minister (Mr Ramsay MacDonald) made an appeal to mankind to enthrone peace over tho world. Speaking with marked earnestness in what will probably be his last public utterance here on his historic meeting with the President, Mr MacDonald warned his hearers that much remained before the peoples of all nations would relinquish military security for political security. He re-emphasised tho fact that his negotiations with the United States had been entirely in the open, and took occasion to rebuke the “few voices 5 ’ which had been charging that an Anglo-American alliance had been entered into at Washington.

Describing his negotiations with General Dawes, Mr MacDonald said:— “Everything was conducted in a glasshouse, with no secrecy, no curtains, and from that day to t-his our negotiations have been conducted by men who wish to live an open life and have no desire to pursue a secret one. We have declared that no war can take place between us. Wc declared more than that. We cannot conceive any circumstances under which the armed forces of the United States and those of Britain can come into conflict.” The speech was a summing up of his visit and an analysis of the fruits of his mission. He spoke bluntly at times, and his theme was developed as the enthusiasm of his distinguished audience —one of the largest dinner gatherings in the history of New York —mounted steadily. Speaking of agreements for peace, he said: “This is the problem of On the one hand you get your moral disarmament sentiment, which is with you. Resolutions that read fair and sound, are carried unanimousuy, but the moment you start to apply them for t-hc purpose of transferring the mentalities of the people from the mentality of military security to the mentality of political security, then the poor statesman is beset by a thousand and one exceedingly intricate problems.” —A. and N.Z. P.A.

PATIENCE ASKED FOR. NEW YORK. Saturday. Addressing the Council of Foreign Relations on Friday night, Mr MacDonald asked the American people to show patience while the British changed the furniture of their minds on sea armament.

Declaring that Great Britain's Navy is Great Britain itself, he said the sea was Britain’s security and its safety. “So you will understand how hard it is to get the people to feel security if the naval arm is limited in any way,” he said. “I put that before you as a plea for patience, a plea for goodwill. As you will show that patience, so you will contribute to goodwill, until wc can eh an go the furniture of our mind. The spirit of men in coming together is not to divide the world into groups, but to help the world to come to a general agreement.”

lie said he wanted the world to know that during the entire course of the conversations between President Hoo\er and himself, never a word or thought was given to any exclusive understanding between Great Britain and the United States.—A. and N.Z. P.A.

PRESIDENT’S PLANS.

WASHINGTON, Sunday

It was learned at the White House to-day that President Hoover does not intend to visit Europe during his term of ofliie. Following a reported intention of a return visit to Mr MacDonald, there was speculation whether he would attend the London Naval Conference. He may possibly visit Mexico and Cuba— A.P.A.—U.S.

PREMIER’S EIRTHDAY.

NEW YORK, Sunday

Mr MacDonald marked his birthday in an hotel suite over three thousand miles from Lossiemduth, where ho was born 63 years ago, in a fishing shack on a bleak Scottish shore. The Premier apparently did not regard his birthday as important. —A. and N.Z. P.A.

AN ITALIAN DEMAND,

WASHINGTON, -Sunday

According to well-informed circles, Italy has made known to. the United States, her intention to, insist at the London Naval Conference upon absolute parity with Franco in all categories of auxiliary ships. - ; ... It ;is understood that similar information : has been; transmitted to- the British' Government.— A;P.A.—U.S.

INVITATION ACCEPTED.

ROME, Sunday

Italy has accepted without qualification an invitation to the Five-Power Naval Conference. —A. and N.Z. P- •