LLOYD GEORGE’S PLAN

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1922, Page 2

LLOYD GEORGE’S PLAN

FOR TREATY WITH FRANCE. AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION. CANNES, Jan. 11 Mr Lloyd George has issued a statement regarding the Anglo-French Pact. He says:—“The British Government strongly desire that the Cannes Conference should lead to definite results approved by French and by British sentiment and by the opinion of Europe as a whole. A' failure would have a very bad effect on the relations of the two countries, and Europe would regard such a consequence with dismay. Tlie British Government, consider there are two principal reasons for the French anxiety. Firstly, the reparations; and secondly, France is naturally anxious about her future safety. France has been invaded four times in 120 years, In Britain, trade has been devastated as terribly Is French soil. The maintenance of Britain’s unemployed had cost £2,000,0d0 sterling weekly. The unemployment in Italy and in Belgium is serious. Russia is in the grip of famine. The problem before France and Britain is how to meet their respective necessities by common action. In regard to the reparations, Britain is prepared to make considerable sacrifice, as for the safety of France against an invasion. Britain will regard it as an interest of her own, and is prepared to undertake that, in the event of any unprovoked German agression against French soil, Britain will place her forces on the side of France. This guarantee will not only safeguard France, but will make German attack extremely improbable. The British Government believe that both objects Can be met by an undertaking of the two nations to stand togethei- against any unprovoked attack upon French soil by Germany. One means is an offensive and defensive alliance. Though this might seem desirable~to France; it would not in reality, serve her interests well. The British people are not willing to be committed to military liabilities for breaches of the peace of Central or Eastern Europe. Such an alliance would be strongly opposed by large sections of the community, but a guarantee to stand together in event of unprovoked German aggression would be supported by the opinion of the whole Empire.

Mr Lloyd George said he proposed to draft a treaty (which is not published with this memorandum) in a form best calculated to protect the common interests of both powers in Western Europe, To give effect to this treaty, however, it should be. accompanied by a complete Entente of the two countries, the first condition being an avoidance of naval competition. British opinion will inevitably insist on a heavy programme of antisubmarine craft if the French submarine programme is carried out. The British Government propose, as a condition of a treaty, that the Admiralties of the two countries should confer in order that competition in shipbuilding may be avoided. Mr Lloyd George goes on to state: “The economic collapse of Central and Eastern Europe is the most serious factor in the paralysis of trade, and it cannot be remedied unless the Russian produce markets are again available to the world.”

It was most important to deal direct with the heads of the Russian Government, but certain assurances and guarantees were essenial. If Hie Russian

Government desired foreign credit, it must undertake, first, to recognise all Russian public debts and all obligations Secondly, it must establish a legal system which will be enforced in connection with commercial contracts. Finally, adequate means of exchange must he available. ' The British Government, he said, lays down the following principles. First, all nations are to undertake to refrain from propaganda subversive to order and the established political systems of other countries. Secondly, all countries should join in undertaking to refrain from aggression against neighbours. It was indispensible to q complete entente that peace in the Near East be restored, and that an absolute agreement between France and Britain regarding policy and be pursued. In conclusion it was essential that the division of the European nations, into two mighty camps should not be perpetuated by narrow fears on the part of the victor nations, or secret projects of revenge on the part of the vanquished nations. It was essential that rivalries which were generated by the emancipation of nations since the war should be averted, and that the conflict between the rival economic systems, which the Russian revolution has ;so greatly intensified, should not culminate in international war. It was his Government’s particular desire that this entente between Britain and France, so far from excluding other nations, should form a basis for a wider scheme of nternational co-opera-tion, to insure the peace of Europe as a whole. Britain offered France and Italy her intimate and earnest co-opera-tion in building up a great system ot European accord, which would put the maintenance of peace between nations and reduction of national armamets in the forefront of their aims.