BRITAIN PERTURBED

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1926, Page 2

BRITAIN PERTURBED

BY 110 ATE AND FOR 1071 IN SITUATION, [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, April IS. The political situation in Europe, combined with the uncertainty of the industrial situation in Britain, is causing considerable anxiety. Al. Tchitcherin’s intrigue, resulting in the Russo-German treaty negotiations and the offers of a pact to Poland and the border states, are most embarrassing, being regarded as tending to shift the diplomacy to the East. The Soviet policy is directed, apparently to creating a diversion against the League, while the prospect of obtaining capital from America by linking up with Germany cannot he ignored. Tchiteherin is thus able to circumvent tlie British aloofness in which connection Afr J. L. Garvin, in a striking two column article in the “Observer” says that if London and Paris do not seek their own direct settlements towards Russia, they must take the consequences. In til is connection it is interesting to note that four prominent Conservative Commoners departed for Russia yesterday, viz., Sir Frank Nelson, Colonel Moore, Captain Bourne and J. G. Bootliby, whose report is believed to he eagerly anticipated by ATr Baldwin. The leading hankers may have an important hearing on Hie attitude towards Russia. Unfortunately the preparatory disarmament conference and tlie League dissensions tend to strengthen the Soviet’s position.

The .Soviet’s isolation is attracting neighbouring States to its orbit. Meantime there is much speculation regarding Sir Austen Chamberlain’s not attending the disarmament conference on the 10th of Afav, especially as it is understood that lie and AL Bonocnr, who are head of the resooelive delegations, are not on the friendliest ol terms since the Geneva imbroglio. It. is said that Sir Austen Chamberlain cannot lie snared in view of the industrial situation here.

Otherwise it is reported that AH' Baldwin and other members of the Cabinet are concerned al the prospect of a Russo-German agreement. Coming events most likelv reouire the Foreign Office chief’s immediate attention. At any rate Lord Cecil will unquestionably prove a. stern and unbending defector of H>n League’s constitution and ho is unlikely to surrender sinv nrerogative whereas Sir Austen Chamberlain’s pro French proclivities might lead to concessions.

So far as the Home situation is concerned, while the coal crisis has occupied most attention ami may even lead to idle coalfields, there is reason to believe that the Cabinet is immediately more concerned about the engineering dispute involving light power transport.

These matters, however, are expected to come to a. head in a few da vs. whereas the international complications are seemingly interminable.