LEAGUE AND WORLD PEACE

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17242, 29 October 1927, Page 7

LEAGUE AND WORLD PEACE

DANGERS TO AVOID. NO SUBJECT FOR PARTY POLITICS. SPEECH BY SIR A. CHAMBERLAIN. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 27. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Sir Austen Chamberlain, spoko on the subject of world peace at a luncheon given in his honour by the Aldwych Club. The diplomatic corps was strongly represented. Sir Austen said that for reasons which one could well understand tho recent Assembly oi the League of Nations had attracted more attention • in Britain than had usually been attracted by meetings of that Assembly.

Undoubtedly the failure of the Three-Power Naval Arms Limitation Conference had caused the' proceedings of the recent Assembly to he viewed with a. certain amount of anxiety and of additional interest. The representatives of the nations .who assembled at Geneva had exercised greater freedom in discussing those questions which affected them. That was not due to the fact that the situation was more dangerous, but was because the delegates were encouraged by the spirit which now prevailed to bring into the light of day the discussion of questions which in more delicate and dangerous moments had been reserved for secret conferences.

“There is one danger which I hope all men, of all parties, will seek to avoid,” said the Minister. “I hope no one will desire to make the League of Nations become a subject of party controversy. I hold it to he the duty of every Foreign Secretary to preserve, within the measure of what is possible, the national policy, which, whatever ancl whenever a change of Government may come, will be still a policy which can he pursued with continuity. Upon continuity the success of our diplomacy depends.” Referring to the resignation from the Cabinet of Viscount Cecil, Sir Austen said lie was not quite sure wherein the differences between Lord Cecil and himself on League questions consisted. “But, it I understand Lord Cecil,” he said, “he would be willing to run risks and undertake obligations which it seems to me ihe trustees of this Empire have neither the right to undertake nor the power to fulfil.”