THE ARBITRATION TREATY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1080, 20 March 1911, Page 5

THE ARBITRATION TREATY.

SPEECH BY SIR E. GREY. NO DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE WITH AMERICA. POSITION IN CASE OF WAR. By Telegraph—Press AssociaUan-Copyriclit (Rec. March I!>,. 5.5 p.m.) London, March 18. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in presiding at a dinner given by the International Arbitration League, • acknowledged tho cordial sincerity underlying Mr. Balfour's helpful words in his specch in tho House of Commons on the proposed unlimited arbitration treaty with America. He recognised, he said, that tho Unionists had initiated the arbitration treaties now in force between Great Britain and various other Powers. Proceeding, Sir Edward Grey explained that he did not intend to convey the idea that a general arbitration treaty between two great nations was tantamount to a defensivo alliance, though, if one became the object of an attack under the circumstances stated, he should think thero would be strong sympathy between the two Powers. That matter, however, was dependent on public opinion, and tho introduction of such a condition into a treaty might impair its chances in Britain and elsewhere, and lead others to suppose that the treaty was aimed at them. This would completely ■ spoil its possible effect in mitigating the expenditure on Armaments. MR. TAFT DELIGHTED. MAT RESULT IN UNIVERSAL PEACE. (Rec. March 20, 0.30 a.m.) New York, March 19. Mr. Taft' is delighted at the favourable reception in England of the AngloAmerican arbitration proposals. He de-. Clares that there is every reason to hope that other nations will follow tho lead of Great Britain, and that it will ultimately result in universarl peace. LABOUR LEADER'S VIEWS. (Rec. March 19, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 18. Mr. Ramsay Mac Donald, Leader of the Labour party, says he rejoices at the aspirations for an unlimited arbitration treaty, but such a treaty would do more harm than good if the. opinion got abroad that there was going to bo an AngloSaxon alliance imposing its will on the whole world. FREE CHURCH SERMONS. (Rec. March 19, 5.5 p.m.) , London, March 18. The Free Churches have arranged ; to make special references in. to-morrow's sermons to Mr. Taft's and Sir Edward Grey's arbitration overtures.