BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 August 1927, Page 3

BRITISH AND FOREIGN NEWS.

(Australian ifc N.Z. Cable Association.)

LORD CECIL RESIGNS. LONDON, Aug. 29 Lord Cecil stales ho has resigned.

LORI) CECIL EXPLAINS

(Received this day at 11 0 a.m.) LONDON, Aug. 29

Viscount Cecil has issued a statement. which took the form of a. lettei to Mr Baldwin, dated 25th. August, wherein he said :—’’l unite vou on Aug. 9th. immediately on returning from Geneva, saying I felt it impossible t<> continue in office, hut understand this, owing to your absence ill Canada, has only just reached you. Therefore 1 state in the form of the enclosed minute my reasons for my resignation.”

'l'he minute states :—“The conclusion t*> resign is not due to a personal difficulty. I owe you and all my colleagues gratitude and consideration! of all. Have I a grievance against Bridgman with whom I most closely agreed at Geneva. The difficulty is much more serious. On the broad policy of disarmament a majority of Cabinet and T cannot really agree.” LONDON. Aug. 29.

Lord Cecil added: " I believe a genera! reduction of armaments is essentia! for a world peace, upon which dopuuls the existence of the Empire and European civilisation. 1 am convinced no considerable limitation is obtainable except by international agreement, upon which the chief energies of the government should lie concentrated. It eoui'd not he bought at any price, but it is more valuable than any other political object. .Much during the Preparatory Disarmament Commission was di.xquietening to me. Instructions frequently compelled me to maintain propositions 1 had a difficulty to reconcile with me serious desire for success ot the Commission’s labours, 'the cumulative effect of this was hvrgel.v Llie cause of its comparative ill-success. Yet I gladly accepted representation tit the three-power coiilereneo. I thought there was little doubt an agreement could ho reached, and a tripartite agreement for a reduction of armaments would greatly facilitate the limitation efforts of the Preparatory Commission. Its failure, which 1 did not contemplate, would he a corresponding disaster. The causes of the failure at Geneva may have to he probed when Parliament meets. 1 was out of sympathy with the instructiosn. 1 believed an agreement was reachable by sacrificing non-essential .British interests. 1 look hack on the refusal to accept a treaty of mutual assistance and unconditional rejection of the protocol as a ministerial declaration against compulsory advance in the direction firstly of security. Then arbitration and lastly disarmament haft been tried but made i’ittle progress. The policy I advocated has been more or less over-ruled in eaeli ease. As in the past so it will he in the future. The same causes will produce similar effects. The truth is my colleagues do not agree with me in these matters. I do not see how 1 can he of further service in Cabinet to tin’s supremely important cause. Outside there is much to he done. The hope of the future lies in an aroused, instructed public opinion, an object which mav employ more than all the energies remaining to me.

RAILWAY SMASH ENQUIRY. London. .\ug. 2s. Expert witnesses gave evidence at Seven Oaks inquiry that the River tyjie of engine was known to start a rolling motion at a speed of fifty miles an hour. A locomotive inspector said he investigated the complaint- in June and the River type engine rolled badly near Tonbridge. This was distinctly appar-, out both going and coming, whereupon the engine was taken off. It was similar to the engines involved in a previous derailment. He travelled in the wrecked train which averaged 56 miles an hour, but the fastest point was between Tonbridge and Ashford, where the speed was sixty miles. One witness suggested the rolling was duo to water in the tanks on the side, causing the engine to roil when a certain speed was exceeded. The driver stated his experience of them generally was good, but they rolled at high speed. The inquiry was adjourned.

A POWDER MAGAZINE. A DANGER WARNING. [“ Sydney Sun ” Cables.]

(Received this day at, 12.25 D.m.l LONDON, Aug. 29

Czeelio-Slovakin constitutes Europe’s powder magazine,' says Lord Rotlierniere. in an article in the “ Daily Mail,” owing to her treatment of a million Hungarians who are entirely different in race and language from Czechs. He says the makers of tho Pence Treaty mao of Europe was on the basis of self determination. For example a plebiscite was held in Schleswig, hut the creation of the state of Czoeho-Slovnkia as a result of intense propaganda, was a purei'y artificial operation, outraging every principle of nationality which it was supposed to; serve, and thereby leading to grave abuses, containing the sure seed of future wars. Tho Government ofi Czecho-Slovakia proceeded to exploit | Hungarians, virtually confiscating thenproperty and tolerating some ot the | worst abuses that ever occurred nr public life in Europe. Czecho-Slovakia I must soon take a momentuous decision by refusing to retain a compact block of Hungarians against their will anil agree to a revision of the frontier, through a plebiscite. Self interest alone should dictate such a course, as tho country’s development largely depends on foreign financial assistance. Foreign financiers are aware of the country’s internal condition, and are not disposed to invest therein. Hungary possesses the right to recover its nationals across the border. Ihe present condition of affairs is an outrage. If Europe continues to close its eyes it will inevitably result in a disastrous

Roumania also appropriated 000.009 Hungarians. The greed and oppression of those two States have created two new Alsacc-Lorraines which are less than a festering sore in Europe’s heart.

BRITAIN'S DEBTS. LONDON. August 29. A Blue book states Britains public debt at 31 March was £7.622,945.000 stg.. of which £1,101.453.000 was external including £925.087.000 owing to U.S.A. Australia heads the list of repayment of unfunded debt for 1920—7 with £1.257.000 in respect to war advances. New Zealand is next with £346,000.

Under tho heading, interest etc. on the war loan, Australia paid £4,286.000 and New Zealand £1,395.000. At present these countries have £85,572,000 and 27.997,000 loans respectively, outstanding. There arc £325,800.000 outstanding funded Allied war debts, including £270,000 from Italy, alsa £1,570.883,000 unfunded, including £B-13,967,000 from Russia, £676,160,000 from France. The total funded and unfounded Allied war reconstruction and other debts outstanding to Britain is £1.933,924,000.