Real Test of Locarno

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 511, 14 November 1928, Page 13

Real Test of Locarno

PROGRESS OF DISARMAMENT

Cruisers Outcome of Compromise (United I*.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) ('Australian and K.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Received 12.45 p.ru. LONDON, Tuesday. rIE basis of the British foreign policy should be the promotion of friendship and co-operation between all nations on the basis of the League Covenant and the Kellogg Pact,” said Mr. Lloyd George, in the House of Commons to-day. ‘‘The real test of Locarno is the progress of disarmament.”

There liad been sinister comment on the Anglo-French agreement, he said. He had been told that it had all been dropped, but surely the House had something to say. Had the suspicions ot America been eliminated? Anyone imagining so had better read Mr. Coolidge's speech. His announcement that he was building 15 cruisers was one effect of the Anglo-French agreement. France was clearly under the impression that 'we were bound by the principles of the Pact. Mr. Baldwin had declared that the Pact \tfas the keystone of Locarno, but the keystone had gone. Since Locarno there had been a refusal to evacuate the Rhineland although we were bonnd to do this the moment Germany was fulfilling her obligations. Against the provisions of the Versailles Treaty the signatory Powers had increased their armaments. He thought he could demonstrate that our armaments had been increased.

Ministerial cries of “No, prove it," followed this assertion. The Air Force has certainly been increased. A good understanding toward America was more important than almost toward any country, because the peace of the world depended on it. • Anyone assuming that, an AngloAmerican conflict was possible should be treated as a dangerous lunatic. The only thing to do was to get back to Earl Balfour’s Washington policy. Mr. Baldwin should make it clear that he had abandoned the Anglo-French pact both in the letter and the spirit. The Russian disarmament proposition should not have been treated as a laughing matter. When she had recovered economically, Russia would be a formidable factor, with almo: limitless man-power. There could not be peace in Europe until the Allies carried out their disarmanent obligations.