EUROPE’S FUTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1932, Page 5

EUROPE’S FUTURE

SEEKING SOLUTION IN CANDID, HELPFUL MANNER. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, July 14. Regarding thla A.iglo-I'rendi Gorernm'ont’s invitation to .Other leading European to deal with the future etonomit-,.pohtic-n 1 problems of Europe in tble same lu.l.pfu 1 spir.t that prevailed at Lausanne. 'Sir J. Simon recalled, that a,t Lausanne they had tried to get the countries of Europe to look forward and that they wanted to secure that the whole problem of Europe was ckia.lt with in the spirit of candour and mutual assistance. They had then attempting in the last few days to formulate expression to this new poli.t cal' ,sp rit, •whii-h was illustrated a,t Lausanne. Will,a,t they had in mind was no part of the Lausanne documents. It was an invitation to adopt candid and open relations and discussions, to, which thiey hoped all leading Powers would respond. They were endeavouring:, to promote an European agreement as to the manner in which future difficulties should be discussed, He read the terms of the agreed announcement as follows: "In the declaration which forms part of the final act of the Lausanne Conference, the signatory Powers express the hope that the .task here accomplished will be followed bv fresh achievements. They affirm that further success will be more readily won if the nations will rally to the new offoi t in the causle of peace, which Can only be complete if' it is/ supplied both in .the economic and political sphere.”

In the same, document the signatory powers declare .their intention to make every effort to solve tile problems which exist, or may arise, subsequently, in the spirit which inspired the Lausanne agreement. In that spirit the Government of the United Kingdom and the French 'Government decided to give a lead in making immediate and mutual contributions to that end on the following lines':

Firstly, in accordance with the spirit of the -Conve-nant of the League, they intend to exchange l views with one another, with complete candour, and to keep each other mutually informed of 'any questions coming to their notice, similar in origin to that now so hapnily settled a-t Lausanne,, which may effect the European regime. It will’join in adopting this procedure. Secondly, they intend to' work together and with other delegations at Geneva to find a solution of the .disarmament question; which_ will be., beneficial and equitable for all Powers concerned.

Thirdly, pending negotiations at a later date of a new commercial treaty between their, countrjes, they will avoid any act’on of a nature of discrimination by one country against the interests of another, In reference to disarmament Sir J. Simon, said that Britain had already announced the intention to co-operate with the United Stab-b in the work at Geneva. He was now returning to Geneva to help in working out the principles of Mr Hoover’s proposals. Paragraph four of the document refers to commercial relations pending a discussion of a commercial treaty between France, and Britain, but the other' three paragraphs, he said, wleire proposals to the other principal Powers in Europe. He added that he had to-day seen represimtativeis of Germany, Italy and Belgium, and in each ease ahd handed a copy of the above announcement, 'extending to their Governments, the invitafo-n to associate themselves within the declaration.