London, Mar. 23.
HE British Prime Mi ster, Mr, Ramsay MacDonald, this afternoon took the first available opportunity of informing the House of Commons of the proceedings during the which he and the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, had recently paid to Geneva and Rome, Their colleagues had asked them to go to Genev he said, because every report showed there was grave danger of a somewhat immediate collapse of the Disarmament, Conference and they believed it might be possible to avert such a collapse. They decided on the production of a plan which would cover the whole field of disarmament and security.
Mr. Macdonald had anticipated that the first reaction would be general opposition to the plan but that the second reaction, after consideration, would be that everyone would take it as a case for their imme consideration.
He was right regarding the first reaction and he thought there was good chance of hi doing right regarding the second, 'The British plan contained for "iret time" figures" regarding varioas_arms. When the conference resumed to-morrow, it would. be upon the figures they' had put forward, They were obliged to continue proposals to Germany. The time had gone by when, by the combination "of any Powers, any European people could be Kept down by obligations which it regarded stent with its selfsrespeet and honour, peace and friendship, it could have further beneficial" consequences. Thay would be necessary and. the British Government would work out further details in this respect. They expressed themselves as very" much terested in Signor Mussolini's proposal-and (promised to study all its. bearings.
They indicated some matters of essential details for which provi jon must be made; for instance, 'They had now to make it perfect. the smaller 'States. affected should' ly clear that the obligations placed be consulted. He could ive those on the nations of Burope were to be States an assurance, so far_ag the ligations of honour and responsi-conversations were concerned, that bility which would be all the more] there was no foundation whatever serious as they were undertaken in for the fears recent!; a voluntary way. But events had In their view. those happened recently that had enorm-had a right to be consulted whenously increased the risk of taking ever their special interests were higo step like that at the present concerned and that would be done. moment. Their plan purposed The motive of the plan was un-transitional stage." Equality itself} doubtedly to remove the causes of would not be carried out, but, dur-war in Europe, its emphasis being ing that there would be no upon the League taking up the responsibilities imposed upon it by Arthle 19 of the League Covenant. It must not exclude smaller States from playing their proper part, for, in some respects, they had greater interest than larger ones in remov-an ud] ing the cause the conference was heartened to ever it existed in Europe. Should pursue its work upon a definite sketthe matter be pursued to which' it. could "consider!
7 in detail. "We have provided Government would form in which amendment may be them every support.
hed" he said. "Europe is very Mr. MacDonald mentioned that, unsettled. "It is in a very. nervous fon their way through Paris, thes! condition, Fortunately, there is had, "explained the plan to the one thing that can save us all: thas French Ministers, who had. made ig, well founded confidence in each Public' their desire' for loyal coother. That is lacking, more to-day operation in the interest of peace than for a very long time, Events between the: four European Powers happened and speeches have who. were permanent. members of] deen made which naturally and the Teague. properly have added to that sense of Insecurity, and even after Jjussolini Plan Welcomed arrived in Geneva some of those events occurred. 1 hope that thix The Government welcomed Signor country will not allow these events to divert it from the path that it renter immediate danger to Burope us site en Phere was" han that, when an fnevitable: ne-hag mapped out for itself, ax the only path upon which security, and Uonatist revival occurred, the trea peace can be found. We have] tien might be a subject of challenge, nothing, to say about, these ovants initiated by"one Interest and under except in relation to their interna-conditions which would only seve anal effect but we cannot expect Snimosity and ruin the protest of any other nation to be indifferent." friendly "accommodation.
'The conversations 'The Visit to Rome ante' thi that when perfectly: clear io. evervooly" that Referring to their visit to Rome.
Rational life was being revived in the Prime Minister said that on ope, the four Powers. should their arrival there a short document was handed to them which apart and try fo remove by negotinmeat ette they mae, tien tion each pitblem which ould regarding at) effective policy of col-showed Signor Mussolini's views have to be get in any event.
Jaboration between the four West profs no opinion, though T ern Powers to maintain peace in the coteylain strong hopes of the' re-Split the Kellogg Pact and of a MacDonald, "but "No Force" pact, which had been, that were any of the four contemplated "bythe five. Powers" fo. reject "forthwith and conference, as a return for howe full consideration the id many's getting 2 declaration {bout which we were. informed Principle" of their willingness to Rome, were they fo. put obstacles in ive her equality of status, a de-the way until ie had passed into the Claration that, those Powers' should mournful store of lost opportunities not resort fo force to try and slave Grr if after appearing to. accep any of their immediate political {o"promote peace, they were to use differences. for their own ends regardless ignor Mussolini, he added, felt their responsibility, what might fol-that Article 19 of the "League low, might be irremediable"™ Covenant was not to become per "The "British Government. were manent, There were two. sides. in now trying to devise means of Article 19: it said that the treaty handling what may be a problem should be observed and only alter-of the greatest delicacy. Reconsiby the consent of both parties eration of the treaties was not but it also said that a treaty con-enough and other nations had to taining provisions which in. the make substantial contributions. He efflux of time had. raised problems expresse(l the hope that the means. Which might result in ® most un-of ce-operation for which "they Aesivable situation ought to be sub-Were striving would be found, and Jeet to revision, that they would be of a nature to Beneficial Consequences command common sympathy—Wireless through Reuter The plan laid down was that the proposed ce-operation should. be Statement Generally Approved carried out within the frame-work London, Mar. 24. of the League and ten years was indicated as the set period for: the 'The British Government's foreign trealy, should it be possible to, ar-policy as outlined in Mr. Mi yange' it. Indications were given Donald's statement has undoubted. that, if this conception of co-Sade of peltica opin fo the Peer' sensealy approved by all operation between the Powers were
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.