Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. 4. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Common- wealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the 5. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Common- 6. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Common- wealth of Australia, New Zealand, the 10. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Common- 1925 Telegram 4th March 11. The Governor-General of Canada to the Secretary of State for the Colonies 12. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Secretary of State for the Colonies Page. 17 Telegram 4th March 18 Telegram 5th March 19 13. The Governor-General of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for the Colonies Telegram 7th March 23 14. The Governor-General of Canada to the Secretary of State for the Colonies 15. The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia to the Secretary of State for the Colonies Telegram 10th March 24 16. The Governor-General of the Irish Free State (Received 26th June) Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. Correspondence relating to the position of the Dominions. (1924.) The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa. [TELEGRAM.] 21ST NOVEMBER. Letter has been sent by His Majesty's Government to Secretary-General, League of Nations, 15th November in following terms :— Begins: Owing to very recent accession to office His Majesty's Government will not be able for some time to form considered opinion on terms of Protocol for Pacific Settlement of International Disputes drawn up by Fifth Assembly nor will they be able to furnish proper instructions to their representative on Council for purpose of preparatory work for proposed Conference on reduction of armaments which it is contemplated should be undertaken by Council at next meeting. They find themselves therefore to their great regret obliged to request that this item of agenda of next meeting of Council may be postponed to later session when they will have been able to give it close attention which its great importance necessitates. Ends. This step has been taken in order to allow His Majesty's Government more time to study exceedingly important problems involved and in particular on account of their desire to arrive at agreement with Dominion Governments before any further action taken in regard to Protocol.-AMERY. NOTE.-Copy sent to the Governor-General of the Irish Free State by Secretary of State's despatch, 21st November, 1924. No. 2. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa, and the Governor of Newfoundland. [TELEGRAM.] 19TH DECEMBER. Following from Prime Minister for your Prime Minister : Begins: We have now been able to give preliminary examination to terms of Geneva Protocol for Pacific Settlement of International Disputes and are greatly impressed with momentous character of question both in its scope and in its consequences. Not only does instrument itself raise issues of highest importance involving as they do such matters as the submission to compulsory arbitration even of vital interests and the imposition of sanctions of the most drastic character, but its consideration necessarily brings to the forefront farreaching problems affecting the security of the Empire, and its future relations to the countries of Europe and the United States of America. We conceive it to be essential that in regard to a problem of this magnitude the Empire should have a single policy, and we are equally convinced that such a policy can only be determined as a result of personal consultation between Ministers. The first question to be considered therefore is how soon can such consultation take place. At recent session of Council of League of Nations, which as you know was attended by Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, it became evident that it would be expected that at any rate some preliminary pronouncement should be made on behalf of British Empire at next meeting of Council in middle of March. We should like, therefore, if it is at all possible, to arrange a special meeting of Imperial Conference to discuss whole problem before that time. Character of issues is, in our opinion, such as to render presence of Prime Ministers highly desirable, and we greatly hope, therefore, that you may be able to attend in person. Would this be possible if Conference began in first week of March? If not, could you depute one of your colleagues in the Government to take your place and what would be the earliest date at which he could reach London ? Similar message sent to other Dominion Prime Ministers. BALDWIN. Ends. -AMERY. NOTE.-Copy sent, at the instance of the Prime Minister, to the GovernorGeneral of the Irish Free State, for communication to the President of the Executive Council, by Secretary of State's despatch, 20th December, 1924. No. 3. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, and the Irish Free State, and the Governor of Newfoundland. [TELEGRAM.] 22ND DECEMBER: Please inform [Not to Irish Free State: your Prime Minister] [To Irish Free State: President of the Executive Council] that following statement will be issued to Press here on Tuesday, 23rd December, for publication on morning of 24th December:- Begins His Majesty's Government are in communication with the Governments of the Dominions and India with a view to ascertaining whether it will be possible to arrange a special meeting of the Imperial Conference in the early days of March, 1925, to discuss the questions arising out of the Protocol for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes. Ends. -AMERY. (1925.) No. 4. The Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governors-General of Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, and the Union of South Africa, and the Governor of Newfoundland. 15TH JANUARY. Prime Minister : [TELEGRAM.] Following from Prime Minister for your Begins: I am sorry to say that replies from Dominion Prime Ministers to my message of 19th December* indicate that there are great difficulties in arranging for special meeting of Imperial Conference at beginning of March to discuss problems arising out of Geneva Protocol. Following is summary of replies received. Mackenzie King telegraphed 29th December that Canadian Government agree that it is highly desirable that similar attitude. should be adopted towards Protocol by countries of British Empire which are members of League of Nations. Suggestion, however, to hold Imperial Conference in London to be attended by Prime Ministers of Dominions as well as of Great Britain in March does not appear practicable. Canadian Parliament has been called for first week in February. It would be quite impossible for him to be absent from Canada for any length of time during the session, and pressure of legislative duties would also make it difficult for any of the Ministers particularly concerned to be similarly absent. Canadian Government suggest exchange of opinions by cable and post with understanding that, if these means found inadequate and other Dominions consider it practicable to attend Conference in London, Canadian Government will be prepared to consider proposal again. Bruce telegraphed 23rd December that Commonwealth Government agree that it is of utmost importance that on * No. 2. (18905) A 3 |