The Prime Minister at Guildhall The Prime Minister's speech at
the Lord Mayor's Banquet on Monday was a sound, firm and, so far as the depressing circumstances permitted, a hopeful review of the world situation, though the Three-Power currency agreement and the treaty with Egypt were the only two definite assets to be recorded. The next attempt at the restoration of stability, if the Government's desires are realised, will be the Five-Power Locarno conversa- tions, in which Germany and Italy seem more disposed to participate than they were a few weeks ago. That the conversations should take place at all would be something gained ; that they will result in an early or an easy agreement is more than can be reasonably hoped for. Meanwhile, the sinister process of rearmament is being pushed forward relentlessly by every country. There was not a trace of cynicism in the Prime Minister's sombre reflection on the fact that, while we, like every other country, hated war and realised the inconceivable folly of general arming, we were in fact arming like every- one else. We shall and must, until an understanding with the other Great Powers of Europe enables an armament limitation agreement, prelude to some arma- ment reduction agreement, to be contracted. Unless the Locarno conversations open the road to that they will amount to little.
Previous page
