Britain Urged to Accept

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 356, 17 May 1928, Page 9

Britain Urged to Accept

Lords Favour Outlawry of War Pact Plan Unanimously Approved RECOGNISING that the American proposal for a multilateral treaty renouncing war is a definite step toward peace, the House of Lords unanimously passed a resolution, moved by Lord Reading, urging that prompt and favourable consideration should be given to the proposal and that the British Government should declare its acceptance of it--principles. Lord Cushendun made it clear that the Government could not formally accept the motion. The proposal, he said, had to be examined in all its details to eliminate dangerous misunderstandings. British Official "Wireless

RCJGBY, Wednesday. The proposal or the United States for a multilateral treaty to renounce war as an instrument of national policy was discussed in the House of Lords to-day. The debate was opened by the Marquess of Reading, one of the Liberal leaders. He moved that the House cordially welcomed the proposal and that while it recognised the desire of the British Government to co-operate in securing the peace of the world, it was of the opinion that prompt and favourable consideration should be given to the proposal and that the British Government should declare its acceptance of the principles embodied in the proposed treaty. Lord Reading said he wished to pay a tribute of warm appreciation to the

efforts so persistently and consistently made by the British Government and the Foreign Secretary, Sir Austen Chamberlain, to secure the peace of the world. Continuing, Lord Reading said they should have no hesitation in accepting the proposal from America. She had taken the greatest step toward peace which had yet been taken. The position had been that until America came in and took her part the other nations did feel some lack of confidence, not in the intentions of those who were signing treaties, but because, so long as America stood without and did not come within, there was an incalculable force upon which it was impossible to reckon. For the first time the Powers were asked to agree with the United States that in future every dispute, whatever its origin and implications and consequences, should be settled by pacific means of some tribunal to be agreed upon. It had been said that the proposal amounted to nothing more than a platitude, but there was all the difference in the world between a platitude and a solemn declaration by six great Powers of their agreement that henceforth they would resort only to pacific means to settle their disputes. Lord Reading submitted that there was no inconsistency between the terms of this proposed treaty and Britain’s obligations under the covenant of the League of Nations, the Treaty of Locarno and other treaties. Britain would retain her right to self-defence and her liberty of action in case one of the parties to the pact should break it.

He asked the members to dismiss doubts and hesitations from their minds and to express their opinion in favour of the treaty as it stood. They would not reach the millenium by signing the treaty, but they would be taking a great step forward toward securing the peace of the world.

Lord Parmoor, who represented Britain on the Council of the League of Nations while the Labour Government was in office, supported the motion. Lord Cushendun, the present representative of Britain on the Council of the League, replied tor the Government. He said he entirely agreed with all Lord Reading had said about the American proposal. Lord Reading had seemed to imply that he had detected some hesitation and lack of eagerness on the part of the Government toward the proposal. This was quite unfounded. It was of the utmost importance that before signing any treaty all the parties to it should make certain they were agreed upon its meaning. Otherwise there would be misunderstandings which would lead to very evil consequences and which indirectly would cast doubt upon the effiersy of agreements of this sort. There was no difference cf opinion in the House about the character of the proposal, nevertheless he hoped Lord Reading would not insist upop the formal acceptance of his motion. There was nothing in it to which the Government objected, but perhaps it was a little lacking in precision, and they were discussing an international document which had not yet been signed. Viscount Cecil of Chelwood, who also formerly represented Britain on the Council of the League, said he welcomed the proposal. He said that if it were accepted it would make a very great difference in international laws. He hoped there would be no undue delay on the part of Britain in declaring her acceptance. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. R, T. Davidson, said it would be most unfortunate if the motion were withdrawn. The proposal of the United States stood out as being among the most remarkable in the history of civilisation. Lord Cushendun said he had not intended in any thing he had said to suggest that Lord Reading should withdraw his motion. He was quite willing on behalf of the Government to accept it. The motion was then agreed to unanimously. JAPAN ACCEPTS BASIS FOR NEGOTIATIONS MINOR MODIFICATIONS (Australian Press Association) Reed 9.5 a.m. TOKYO, Wednesday. Cabinet has definitely decided to accept the American anti-war as a basis for negotiations. A formal reply will be sent later containing suggestions for minor modifications. CANADA READY WILLING TO ACCEPT (Australian Press . Association) (United Service) Reed. 12.5 p.m. OTTAWA, Wed. The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Y\p. L. Mackenzie King, commenting on the proposal of the United States outlawing war, expressed the view that Canada would accept the proposals when invited to do so. PROMPT DECISION U.S. ARBITRATION TREATY (Australian Press Association) Reed. 9.45 a.m. WASHINGTON, Wed. The suggestion by the British Government of a temporary extension of the Root-Bryce Arbitration Treaty for a period of six or eight months beyond June 4, the expiry date, is found to be impossible by the United States. The Secretary of State, Mr. F. B. Kellogg, announced on Wednesday that the treaty must be ratified by the Senate for its full period of five years, or lapse. Great Britain asked for a delay, pending conferences with the selfgoverning Dominions on the- details of the provisions of the draft multilateral treaty on the renunciation of war. Asked if the Dominions would make separate treaties, Mr. Kellogg said it was a matter for the Dominions to decide, in consultation with Great Britain. In a general way, the opinion is expressed here that it would not be inconsistent with Canadian policy in recent years if Ottawa elected to deal directly with Washington when it comes to a declaration of policy on the arbitration of disputes, and the outlawing of war.