BRITISH PREMIER

Hokitika Guardian, 11 October 1929, Page 5

BRITISH PREMIER

FREEDOM OF SEAS. ‘ SOLUTION OF PROBLEM POSSIBLE. (United Press Association.—-Hy Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, October 9. President Hoover and Mr Ramsay MacDonald joined on Wednesday night in announcing that their conversations had been based on the assumption that war between the United States and, Britain had been banished, and that, in consequence, a satisfactory solution of the old historical problems between the two nations had become possible.

While these old problems are not specified in their statement, there is litfle ‘ doubt that the principal one Was the freedom of the seas, which has been the cause of many controversies in the past.

Messrs Hoover and Mbe T Vnild asserted that, on the assumption “that, conflicts between out naval and military forces cannot take place, these problems had changed their moaning and character, axld their solution in ways satisfactory to both countries had become possible.” A brief explanatory statement, by way'of introduction,'' declares that both' Mr Hoover and Mr MacDonald are "highly'- gratified by the keen in-terest-taken- by the peoples of both countries in ,theif meeting, and that the two statesmen regard it as proof of the desire of each nation for a closer- Anglo-American. understanding.

‘ BETTER THAN EXPECTED. MR MACDONALD’S RESULTS. WASHINGTON. October 9. Mr Ramsay MaoDonn,lf| said that ne had achieved more than he bar} hoped for in./talks with President Hoover. They had. agreed to keep the Kellogg Pact in front of ,them. he -said, “to use. for the. purpose of coming to an agreement on subjects which have defied • agreement, up to now. In consequence of that, I take with s me to * tendon a series of questions, all of wfticji, will,.now., be the subjeot of study, by the various departments concerned, and. of consideration bet\yee>n the Dominions and ourselves, with the object .of coming to agreement, upon them.” •Senator ''Borah- chairman of the Senate Foreign 'Relations Committee, and a vigorous advocate of the fioedom of the seas, said that he had enjoyed a ;,, veby satisfactory’" talk witli 'Prime Minister MacDonald at the British Embassy, but lie refused to discuss the meeting in detail. ■>y,v.; . :

RESULT OF DELIBERATIONS.

40, COMMENTATORS DISAPPOINTED

fi." (Rsceivwl this day. at ;8 ft.ro.) • MONTREAL., October 10 f , *fherei? no escaping the feeling that ihfe" jqint• statement of • Messrs McDqnatd nhd Hoover is a good deal disappointing tp those with reason to expect it ! td give fully the definite terms of the topics discussed. It is known that originally the statement was much longer- and was. cut. doyvn after consultation, deleting, specific information. This was done for obvious political reasons.',. ~; vV .v •/

Mr MacDonald in a supplementary Statement said: “I take with the series of . questions all whereof now to be .subject of study by various Depart-; merits concerned and of consideration, between the Dominions and ourselves, with the object of coming, to agreement? -upon them.” •{•*' .3! . Although Mr MacDonald while here isvin daily telephonic .communication with Downing Street, it is of course known,{that fullter consultation with his Cabinet will be necessary before it cab he disclosed to the public what he flii'd :the President discussed, • Tt is understood, moreover, that Messrs : MacDonald and Hoover also considered Allied debts ,< but it is believed it was mare in the. nature only of 'academic consideration. Furthermore it is believed that they concluded the question of freedom otf the seas Wodld find its solution in the Kellogg anti-war pact, and the world may expect the enunciation of a new doctrine concerning the rights of neutral shipping m time of War; which will take . into'bccount the' sensibilities df both i nations with respect to their traditional policies. ‘The feeling is that the conversations were a remarkable beginning presaging further diplomatic discussions with extremely important results.

MR MacDONAI D LEAVES WASHINGTON. (Received tbia dev n+ 10 a.tn.l WASHINGTON, Oct. 10. His mission of peace accomplished and message of British good will delivered, Mr MacDonald bade farewell to the capital of IJnited states and departed on his long homeward, journey, Sincerity which so captured the imagination ~of official and: unofficial ‘Washington was more apparent, than ever in the head of the British Government as he said goodbye to the representatives of Mr Hoover at the station before leaving for Philadelphia. A large throng was gathered to obtain a final glimpse of Mr MacDonald and Miss Tshbel. . -••••:-•.•• Mr MacDonald addressing them BB id—“I am sorry to be leaving yon.” His visit to Philadelphia is unofficial, .being purely for the purpose of • lunching with Dr. Solis Cohen who •treated him for bronchial trouble in 1927. Those treatments were so successful that Mr MacDonald never for-

got the services the physician performed. Immediately the luncheon ends Mr MacDonald proceeds to New York. Washington has been captivated by the Prime Minister’s personality and frankness and wherever he went he was cheered in the streets by all who recognised him.

WELCOME AT BALTIMORE

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 10

At Baltimore an ovation from several hundred people greeted Mr Ramsay MacDonald and Miss Ishbel MacDonald, when they came to the observation platform of their car during a five minutes stop to-day.

AT PHILADELPHIA. WASHINGTON. Oct. 10 Philadelphia messages states the Premier arrived before noon and gave a. luncheon to physicians and nurses who tended him at Jefferson Hospital when he was ill there two years ago. In addition to the reception committee, a delegation of 36 British war Veterans' iormed two lines at the station through which Mr MacDonald passed. He shook hands with every man. A crowd on the station broke through the police and surrounded Mr MacDonald who shook hands with all in reach. After his arrival he said: “I am going away content and convinced that in the more congenial atmosphere there would be satisfactory results from the Hoover conferences.” MAODONAT.-n.HOOVER CONversaTions. BERLIN, October 10. The press is giving close attention to the MacDonald-Hoover conversations and is of opinion they have reached most valuable results. Political circles are most anxious for the success of the Five Power conference as a prelude to land disarmament, failing which there will sure to be a demand for permission to increase the -Germany army.