PACT AND EMPIRE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18410, 17 June 1925, Page 9

PACT AND EMPIRE.

ISOLATION IMPOSSIBLE. CONSERVATIVE PAPER'S VIEWS. (by cable—rßEss associatiox—coftrioht.) (AtfSTBALIAX AXD If.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIOX.) (Received Juno 16th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 1" Tho "Morning Post," discussing friS attitude of tho Dominions towards tho Pact, says:—An endeavour is being mado to create an impression that they oppose tho Pact. Wo understand that both Australia and Now Zealand are favourable, and, despito Mr Mackenzio King's blunt rcferenco, thero is a willingness among Canadians to give any arrangement fair consideration. Tho 6amo waiting attitudo is observable in South Africa. The Dominions very properly aro not going to bo precipitato in their judgment at this early stage of the negotiations. It would bo puerile for responsible Dominions statesmen to condemn the Pact before they have read its clauses. Wo quito understand tho suspicions that the Dominions entertain of European cntangloments, and Britain's share in their pre-possessions, but wo cannot get away from tho Continent. We daro not leave Europo to tako care of itself. « We hope that tho Dominions will understand this argument, and nsfe themselves whether the proposed Pact will help to„secure the British Empire, as wo think it will. A second question—does the Pact mako for peace P —wo again answer in tho affirmative. Tho Pact is a constructive measure for giving support to the settlement of 1919 for which Dominions soldiers gavo their lives. Jf tho Dominions throw over the Pact, wo shall bo at the mercy of unknown forces, which may leap from the dark and threaten, not only British shores, but tho links which bind us to our kinsmen overseas.

GOVERNMENTS IN TOUCH. (hedter's telegrams.) LONDON, Juno 15. In tho Houso of Commons, replying tjo questions regarding tho Security Pact, Mr Baldwin stated that % the Governments of the Dominions were kept in tho closest touch with the various developments leading to the existing position. Mr Baldwin was not quite sure whether the agreement would require the endorsement of the Dominions, and suggested that tho question he formally put. COMMONS DEBATE NEXT WEEK. (ATTSTttALIAN and n.z. cable ASSOCIATION.) (Received Juno lclh, 8.5 p.m.) LONDON, Juno T6. Tho House of Commons will devote a day, probably Juno 24th, to a, debate, on tho Security Pact. Six Liberals have tabled motions expressing apprehension at Britain entering an exclusive Pact with foreign nations which might draw her into war.