HOME POLITICS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18232, 17 November 1924, Page 9

HOME POLITICS.

FOREIGN RELATIONS. LEAGUE AS SAFETY VALVE. VISCOUNT GREY'S SCHEME. (BT cabIe—PRESS ASSOCIATION"—cornuonn (keutss's teleokams.) (Received November 16th, 0.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 15. The employment of the League of Nations as the safety valve of Imperial Foreign relations regarding Foreign affairs was suggested by Viscount Grey in a speech which was wirelessly broadcast, dealing with tho problem of developing tho independence of the sellgoverning Dominions, yet maintaining the unity of tho whole. Viscount Grey emphasised the need for frequont personal consultations with the Premiers of tho Dominions, m order to secure a united British front, but in order to guard against the embarrassment and perplexity overseas on the occasion of unforeseen crises like that or Chanak in 1922, Britain might promise tho Dominions to refer any dispute with a foreign Power to the International Court of Justice, the League of Nations, or to arbitration, as a guarantee the Dominions would not suddenly be called upon to tako a hand in a dispute of which they had no time to consider the merits. Ho expressed the opinion that the Dominions would then know where they stood, and agree to regard any Power refusing . arbitration as tho aggressor, and give support to uphold the principle of arbitration, which was endorsed by tho Imperial Conference.

THE LIBERAL REMNANTS.

STRIFE AS TO LEADERSHIP.

(AU3TBALIAK AND ff.Z. CABLE AS9OCIAHO*.) (Received November 16th, 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON, November 15. All party organs aro speculating as to the effect of Captain Wedgwood ! Benn's statement that the people have no confidence in Mr Lloyd George. "I desire to say plainly," he said, "that I cannot acknowledge in any way, direct or indirect, Mr Lloyd George as my leader in the House of Commons." If Captain Benn's opinion is shared by other Liberal members of the House of Commons, obviously the Liberal Party in tho Commons, small as it is, will divide, and the new movement for the reorganisation of tho Liberal forces throughout the country will bo seriously impeded. The "Daily Telegraph'' affirms that Mr Lloyd George is certain to be elected leader at the meeting of the Liberal Parliamentary Party as soon as the session opens. The "Daily Chronicle" declares that Captain Benn's action- at a moment when unity is so. essential among the little band of Liberal members iof the House of Commons has aroused general resentment. The "Daily Herald" says tho pact worked badly for the Asquithians but favourably for the Lloyd Georgians, at which the Asquithian wing, angry at Mr Lloyd George having secured a majority in an attenuated Parliamentary. Party, is now playing for leadership control. * The "Morning Post" observes that dissension has arisen as soon as Mr Asquith's back is turned.

BRITAIN AND RUSSIA.

RECOGNITION TO STAND.

(BY CABLE—PBESS ASSOCIATION—COPTBIGST) (EEUTEB'S TELEGRAMS.) '

LONDON, November 14,

Well-informed people discredit tho suggestion that the Cabinet Committee dealing with the Zinovieff letter and Eussian questions will consider the revision of the decision to recognise Eussia. . It, is understood that the. Committee will deal with the outstanding questions between Britain and Eussia, but that there is no likelihood of relations with Eussia being broken oft. So far as the Treaty is concerned, ratification rests with Parliament.

COMMUNISTS CHIDED. t"Aaoi;s.") (Received November 16tb, 5.5 p.m-) LONDON, November 10. The "Daily Herald," in an editorial chiding the Communists for persisting that whatever is Russian is right, says that the preaching of revolutionary force instead of voting drives large numbers of electors to support the Tories. If such incitements were dropped there would bo nothing to u?vide tßfe Communists from the Socialists. The "Herald" concludes, "why won't they agree to drop them?"

INTEREST ON ALLIED DEBTS. VACSTEALIAX ASD X.B. CABLE ASSOCIATION) (Received November 17th, 12.15 a.m.) LONDON, November 10. The "News of the World" says Mr Churchill intends to press the Allies for payment of interest on their debts to Great Britain. The same, paper understands from a high authority that Earl Beatty, First Sea Lord, will resign at the end of the year. He probably will be succeeded by Vice-Admiral Sir Osmond Brock.