MR MACDONALD’S FAUX PAS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1929, Page 7

MR MACDONALD’S FAUX PAS

ILLbADVJSED ARTICLE. DISCOURSE ON MINORITIES. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). LONDON, June 17. While the Prime Minister, .Mr MacDonald, is striving to establish peaceful relations with the United States, he has made a bad faux pas by publishing an article in a Sunday newspaper dealing with the minorities’ problem in Europe, under the heading “Menace to Europe—Should Peace Treaties be Revised?” In the article, Air MacDonald states : “The complete breakdown of democratic government in Jugo-Slavia, and the establishment of a dictatorship, are the latest warnings. There will be grave trouble unless Europe’s minority problems are solved in the spirit of give and take.”

The article continues: “Uncompromising nationalism is an irritating and dangerous obstruction.” He expressed the opinion that the policy of the Serbisation of the Croats in Jugoslavia had created two alternatives equally evil, either an endless Parliamentary deadlock or a dictatorship. "Italy is pursuing the same policy. Serbia can do this only for the time being without disturbing Europe,” Mi .MacDonald added, “imr must Alsace and the Saar be left out of account in a survev of the minority problem.” The “Daily Telegraph” said that Mr maid’s article lmd created a big stir in ' diplomatic circles, and had already / assured speedy and dramatic repercussions in several European capitals. It was difficult to comment on such flighty irresponsibility in restrained languae. If this was the sort of thing that the Government believed was going to bring a peaceful settlement in Europe, it was not likely to have a resounding success.

In messages from Paris surprise and disquietude is expressed at Mr AlacDonald’s article, in which he suggests that the cases of Alsace and the Saar should be included in the problem of minorities.

The “Echo de Paris” said that there was every indication of Labour starting on dangerous courses. Mr MacDonald did not trouble to disguise his feelings towards France and her allies.Such assertions were the firebrand tv ignite war and incite German revemrefiilness.

The “Petit Parisian” said that AH MacDonald’s real aim was to use the problem of minorities as an engine of destruction against the peace treaties. PREMIER’S EXPLANATION. ■ARTICLE WRITTEN LONG AGO. LONDON. June 17. Air ATacDonald explains that lie wrote tho article long ago. in bis privnt.e capacity, and it« publication on Sunday was unauthorised. The newspapers generally do net pursue the iueident further, in view of the Prime Afinister’s statement, hut comments are coming from the Continent. The “Journal des Pebnts” says the ideas correspond eb'sely with those AH ATacDonald expressed on several ocensions. If he intends to «iininvt snob theories at Geneva in September be will give a most dnue-mvuis blow to the cause of ponce and liberty. “Mr ATacDonald has the reputation of being the friend of peace.” the moor cave “but in reality he is the friend of Germany.”