EUROPEAN LEADERS’ WARNING

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1927, Page 2

EUROPEAN LEADERS’ WARNING

APPEAL TO BRITAIN.* /Australian & N.Z. Cabk Association. 1 ) LONDON, Nov. 25. Disarmament has overshadowed every subject iii England for weeks. Lord Cecil’s statement in the Lords anent to his resignation has aroused some misgivings as to the Government’s programme, and it was largely responsible for Labour’s attack in the Commons. On the contrary, the reduction of the British Cruiser programme finds a responsive echo in America, where it is regarded as a handsome gesture, of conciliation, together with Lord Balfour’s declaration as regards the naval conference, that it has interrupted and not ended the disarmament conference at Geneva.

The coming week is expected to pro iluce the plainest speaking yet heard in that connection. It is more than a coincidence that the war danggr conference of “ No Afore War” movement lias been held in London during the week. Prominent leaders did not disguise the fears of the present drift towards war. Signor Xitti emphasised that even allowing for disarmament of the defeated nations, Germany. AustriaHungary and Bulgaria. Europe had a million more armed men than before the war. Though Geneva discussed disarmament, armanifiit continued, and the spirit of peace did not exist. Though there was not hatred, the people were dragged to war by hidden forces.

De Jouvenal, in a message to the conference, said: “ 1 look forward to 1935 with dread. Those who conducted the peace negotiations, built up a 'structure that would he good for fifteen years, but what is fifteen years. 1 repeat—l93s is a crucial year. France will then have a minimum strength and will have lost the protection afforded by the occupation of the Rhine. 1 hope with all my heart the League before 1935, will have gained authority necessary to prevent a recurrence of war. 1 beg to make with the whole of my poor powers an appeal to British friends for peace. America wanted to remain isolated in 1924, hut could not. Neither can Britain be separated by a narrow frontier channel, with London entirely at the mercy of air raids. ’Whether we want or do not want to he mutually concerned, we must he.” He concluded by expressing the opinion that in the event of another European Avar, America would not be on the same side as England. General Yon Schoeniach, described as the idol of the German Militarist Press during the war, said that the danger did not come from German fniliturism or nationalism, hut from the big owners of important raw materials. ” When the oil kings cannot agree,” he said. “ then other people must fight for them.” Signor Nitti, at the close of the conference to-night, made a final appeal. He said: " It is for Britain to lead the world, because she is the sovereign among nations. If you obey the call and put all your forces at the command of the common effort tor peace.

success is certain.” The closing scenes of the confo once were lively.

ATTITUDE OF U.S.A. WASHINGTON, Nov. 25. Air C’oolidge does not favour the resolutions which are expected to be introduced into Congress,., proposing the outlawry of war and which aim to maintain peace by international agreement. lie said: “ 1 believe the suggested plans offer only illusory shortcuts to the goal of universal peace. The proffered plans are impracticable, ami unlikely to succeed because of the many obstacles they arc hound to meet. There is no more short cut to nonce than to salvation.” The arms and food embargo, he said, would involve the United States in a dispute with other nations, and lead to internationl recriminations that would draw the United States into conflict. The maintenance of her traditional attitude of non-interference, excepting in unusual circumstances, was the only sure way for the United States to avoid embroilment in European affairs, and the constant danger of war.

Air Coolidge added: “The United States believe whatever steps are taken to preserve pence, should he made individually and not acting in concert with other nations. The United States will gain little by agreeing to meet other nations in discussions on avoiding war.”

Congress is expected, as a result of the President’s views to relegate these proposals to the background, and hopes for Borah’s, Capper’s, and Burton’s resolutions providing for the outlawry of war and the establishment of an international tribunal, are considerably lessened. LONDON. Nov. 26.

While Do Jouvenal is forecasting a war peril in 1935, Sir George Paish is saying at Oxford that the whole world is dritfing into bankruptcy, and that a breakdown of trade and credit will come in the spring of 1923. unless the nations act. quickly. The nations are putting up huge tariff barriers to their own countries, and as a result are finding a difficulty in selling their own goods in foreign markets.

GENERAL STRIKE ADVOCATED.

LONDON. Nov. 26. M. Edo Fremmen, Secretary of the International Federation, advocated that a last resource of active resistance to war should he a general strike. 'Hie consequence would probably be civil war. but it was better to lose a hundred thousand men in that way than millions in an international conflict. There was a roar of disapproval to which lie retorted: “ If the sacrifice of a few thousands would stop a great war. it would be right.” There was a thunderclap roar: “No!” “Never!” Several rose and left the hall protesting. Von Schoeniach made some women gasp when he declared that after 35 years as a soldier, he also favoured a general strike. lie said: “The next war will not lie a soldiers’ war. it \ be a war on women and children in London, Paris, Berlin. Mo must fight to the last against war.”