MACDONALD BLUNDERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 692, 18 June 1929, Page 9

MACDONALD BLUNDERS

NEWSPAPER ARTICLE ON MINORITIES A GREAT STIR CREATED (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) LONDON, Monday. 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. The article is published as “by Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister of Great Britain” under the heading: “Menace to Europe. Should the Peace Treaties Be Revised?” In the course of the article Mr. MacDonald says: “The complete breakdown of the democratic Government in Yugoslavia and the establishment of a dictatorship are the latest warnings that there will be grave trouble unless Europe’s minority problems are solved in a spirit of give-and-take. “Uncompromising nationalism is an irritating and dangerous obstruction. “The policy of the Serbisation of the (V’ats in Yugoslavia has created two alternatives, both equally evil—> either an endless Parliamentary deadlock or a dictatorship.

“Italy is pursuing the same policy as the Serb. She can do this only for the time being without disturbing Europe. Nor must Alsace and the Saar be left out of account in a survey of the minority problem.” The “Daily Telegraph” says Mr. MacDonald’s article has created a great stir in diplomatic circles. Already it has assured speedy and dramatic repercussions in several Europeau capitals.

“It is difficult to comment in restrained language on this flighty irresponsibility,” proceeds the “Telegraph.” “If this is the sort of thing the Government believes is going to bring about a peaceful settlement in Europe, it is not likely to have a resounding success.” A message from Paris says surprise and disquietude are expressed at Mr. MacDonald’s article in which he suggests that the cases of Alsace and the Saar should be included in the problem of minorities.

The newspaper “Echo de Paris” says: “There is every indication of the British Labour Government starting on dangerous courses. Mr. MacDonald does not trouble to disguise his feelings toward us and our Allies. Such assertions are as a firebrand to ignite war and incite German revengefulness.” “De Petit Parisien” says: “Mr. MacDonald’s real aim is to use the problem of minorities as an engine of destruction against the peace treaties.”