WORLD’S PEACE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1921, Page 5

WORLD’S PEACE.

A TASK FOR BRITAIN. THE TREATY WITH JAPAN. NECESSITY TO CONSIDER AMERICA By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received May 22, 5.5 p.m. Capetown, May 20. General Smuts (the Premier) has announced that he is taking with him the Ministers of Agriculture and Defence to the Imperial Conference. General Smuts’ influence at the Conference will be directed towards a lasting world’s peace. “The time has come,” he said, “when the Empire must make a most serious effort to extricate itself from the troubles of the Continent and foster a policy of peace in Europe.” Referring to the feud between France and Germany, General Smuts thought it was time for the British Empire to appear not'as a party but as a peace-maker. She emerged from the war the most powerful organism on earth, “and we would not be worthy of our part if we backed up any but the highest policy. If we were backed up by America I am sure it would be possible, even at this late hour, to secure the world’s peace.” Referring to the Japanese Treaty, General Smuts declared the paramount consideration was, as far as possible, to secure an understanding between the Empire and the United States. That was an essential cardinal principle of our foreign policy, and no renewal of theJapanese Treaty should take place unless America could be satisfied that her interests were not jeopardised.—Aus.N.Z. Cable Assn. *