Tag: 100 Years Ago

6 OCTOBER 1925

Acknowledging the welcome of the Swiss authorities at the opening of the Locarno Conference, Mr Chamberlain referred to the services rendered by that country to humanity and to peace, and said that, once again, Switzerland was coming to their assistance. Opening the Conference proper, Mr Chamberlain suggested that no formal presidency was required, and that the delegates should meet on a footing of perfect equality, each contributing what he could to the success of their common object — the peace and prosperity of Europe. Discussion was commenced of the articles of the draft pact which were drawn up in London by the legal advisers of the Powers concerned. Agreement was at once reached with regard to a certain number of them; other articles which gave rise to draft amendments were reserved for fuller examination by the jurists.

The Home Secretary (Sir W. Joynson-Hicks), speaking at Liverpool, gave details of his powers in regard to the Communist menace to this country, and also as to his attitude towards members of O.M.S., whose services as special constables, engineers, or transport drivers he would be a fool not to accept, but in the moment of trouble they would not be allowed to take part with military status.

Mr Bruce, in an outline of election policy at Dandenong, said the Australian Government were determined to defeat the wreckers who would plunge Australia into chaos, misery, and class war. The Commonwealth Parliament would pass legislation empowering action against persons engaged by associations in propaganda having for its object the overthrow of the Constitution and of commerce.

A conference lasting nearly three hours, in which representatives of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Railway Clerks’ Association met the railway companies, reached an arrangement by which the meeting of the Central Wages Board on October 14th would take place.

The death is announced of Admiral Sir Arthur Henniker-Hughan, M.P. for Galloway.

5 OCTOBER 1925

The Security Pact Conference opens at Locarno, Switzerland, today.

The French Prime Minister, M. Painlevé, in a speech at Nîmes, declared that France’s foreign policy of “liberate and reconcile” was still her ideal, but in order that reconciliation in Europe should be possible, it must first be realised on the Rhine. Franco-German reconciliation was the cornerstone of European civilisation.

Spanish forces in Morocco have now taken possession of Ajdir, the former Riffi headquarters, and most of the territory around the Bay of Alhucemas; and the French troops have started a new offensive, which is proving successful, and which has been aided considerably by night air bombardments.

Representatives of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Railway Clerks’ Association are to meet the companies’ representatives to-day to deal with difficulties which have arisen in respect of the matters to be dealt with at the forthcoming meeting of the Central Wages Board. Mr C. T. Cramp, in a speech at Chester, said the railwaymen would shortly have to face a crisis of their own. He was proud to say that they rallied to the defence of the miners, and having helped others to secure the principle of maintaining at any rate the right to live, they would refuse, he was certain, to see their own standards unduly thrown down.

Members of the British Fascisti in the Merseyside area to the number of between 2000 and 3000 have decided to enrol as special constables in the Liverpool Police Force so that their services may be available in emergencies.

4 OCTOBER 1925

It was reported in West Ham that a new scheme of offering paper vouchers to the unemployed was causing issues for local shopkeepers who claimed that they were becoming overwhelmed by them. Criticism was made of the West Ham Board of Guardians for how the scheme was implemented, but the aim was to improve the well-being of those struggling financially in the area.

The Northern Ireland Government said that if Archbishop Daniel Mannix attempted to enter Ulster then he would be expelled.

3 OCTOBER 1925

Replying to a protest against the closing of Rosyth and Pembroke Dockyards, Mr Bridgeman said that an endeavour would be made to effect the reductions in staffs in such a way as to cause the least possible hardship; and he added that any applications by private individuals for the use of the establishments would be considered.

French disappointment at the outcome of the Washington debt discussions is reflected by the newspaper comment. The Ministry of Finance, summarising the results, stated that France had recognised her debt, had obtained a reduction of the total claimed, and would make payments based on her capacity to pay without accepting any foreign control, while her political and commercial debts would be combined. Discussing his country’s capacity to pay, M. Labeyrie, Director of the Cabinet at the Ministry of Finance, stated that future reconsideration of this question in no way implied that America could exert financial control over France.

The conclusion of a Russo-German commercial treaty is imminent. Chicherin, in an interview with the representative of a Berlin paper, expressed strongly anti-British sentiments, and said that Britain’s Pact policy was directed towards driving Germany into a coalition against Russia.

Madrid is rejoicing over the Spanish success at Ajdir, in Morocco.

2 OCTOBER 1925

Mr Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, was presented with the freedom of Glasgow, and was afterwards entertained at a civic luncheon. Later in the day the Premier opened two of the Corporation Housing Schemes and a Child Welfare Centre. After his outdoor engagements, Mr Baldwin, at a gathering in the City Chambers, made an important statement on the housing conditions in Scotland.

After rejecting an amendment in favour of nationalisation of land without compensation, the Socialist Party Conference at Liverpool carried on a show of hands a resolution submitted by the Executive outlining policy on the land problem and declaring that, pending the accomplishment of public ownership, land values should be subject to taxation. Mr Ramsay MacDonald defended his conduct of foreign policy during his late Premiership.

An official resolution, moved by Mr Sidney Webb at the Socialist Party Conference, pressing for public ownership and control of the banks and credit system, and the development of co-operative and municipal banks, was adopted.

Mr Ramsay MacDonald, in an address on “What is Socialism?” said capitalism organised human beings for economic and material ends, whereas Socialism organised economic and material resources for human ends. He did not believe in revolution, because we had now got democracy.

What is described as a temporary settlement of the question of the French debt to the United States has been reached, and M. Caillaux has sailed from New York for France. No agreement has been signed, however.

1 OCTOBER 1925

In reply to a correspondent regarding the organisation for maintenance of supplies during a general strike, the Home Secretary says that citizens would be performing a patriotic act by allying themselves with this or any other similar body.

Lord Balfour and Sir Robert Horne have given their support to a movement under which the public will be given tuition by post to prepare them to refute Socialist and Communist arguments.

The policy of the Socialist party in industrial and Imperial affairs was discussed at the Liverpool Conference. An attempt to revive the Zinoviev letter controversy and to commit the party to an apology to the Soviet Government proved unsuccessful, the resolution tabled by the extremists being defeated on a show of hands.

In the French debt negotiations at Washington an approach to a compromise was reached.

Feeling in Germany is divided on the British and French Memoranda on Germany’s reply to the invitation to a conference on security.

Both the French and Spanish armies in Morocco have launched attacks on the Riff positions, and report their objectives as taken.

In order to meet the shortage of coal owing to the strike of American miners, New York dealers have concluded contracts for supplies from Wales.

The Prime Minister arrived in Glasgow. He will receive the freedom of the city today.

30 SEPTEMBER 1925

Their Majesties the King and Queen made a formal visit to Aberdeen, where they took part in the inauguration of the Cowdray Hall, part of the new buildings forming an extension of the Art Gallery.

The Socialist party Conference at Liverpool carried by an overwhelming majority the Executive’s proposal to continue the exclusion of Communists from membership.

The text of the German reply to the invitation to the Security Pact Conference is published, as well as Mr Chamberlain’s answer.

According to a Washington message, the chief obstacle in the way of the debt settlement between France and America is M. Caillaux’s insistence upon the clause in the agreement permitting revision in case of French inability to pay.

It is expected that about 70 parish areas in Scotland will poll in the No-Licence campaign this year. Eight areas which are at present “dry” have sent in requisitions for a poll, which may, in some cases, cause the repeal of the No-Licence resolution.

Several destroyers and a battleship of the French Fleet bombarded the territory in Morocco of the rebel Beni Said, in support of an advance by the friendly Harkos.

The death is announced of M. Léon Bourgeois, a former French Premier.

Mr Amery, Colonial Secretary, in an interview, discussed the Mosul dispute. It would have been disgraceful, he said, for Britain to have scuttled out of Iraq. For the first time in their history the Arabs and the Christian population were enjoying equal treatment. Britain was not claiming anything from Turkey; she was simply seeking to maintain the integrity of Iraq.

29 SEPTEMBER 1925

The admissibility of Communists to membership of the Labour party was expected to be the sharpest issue before the party Conference at Liverpool, which begins today.

Mr A. J. Cook, speaking at Wigan, said the most difficult phase in the history of the Labour movement had arrived. While he himself held views which he hoped some day would be applied, he recognised that other people had their views too. He hoped the Labour Conference would consolidate the programme laid down by the Trade Union Congress. He held the view that if the Communists thought they could convert the Trade Unions to their point of view they had a right to try.

Addressing a miners’ demonstration near Nottingham, Mr Frank Hodges said there was no universal model for expressing the will of the Labour movement; each country had its own methods. The effort to inject the Communist party and doctrine into the movement must be thwarted at Liverpool. Labour and Communism were mutually opposed in fundamentals; there was no basis of reconciliation.

In an interview at Liverpool, Mr A. J. Cook said he was hopeful that the present difficulties regarding the Coal Commission would be overcome.

Mr J. R. Clynes, at Liverpool, declared that the growth of the Communist movement was very largely the result of bad trade conditions. These things, he added, were due far less to influences from Moscow than to wage reductions the men had to suffer.

The Allied Conference with the representatives of Germany on the Security Pact will be held at Locarno.

28 SEPTEMBER 1925

Returning from Geneva, Mr Amery, in an interview, expressed Britain’s readiness to abide by the League of Nations’ decision in the Mosul boundary dispute. He further stated that if Iraq retains its present frontiers there is every reason to hope that in a short time the British taxpayer will be free from any cost attributable to administration or defence of the State.

Mr Austen Chamberlain received from the German Ambassador the reply of the German Government to the invitation of the Powers to send representatives to the Security Pact Conference, which is expected to take place in Switzerland on October 5. The text of the German Note will be published to-morrow.

At the closing sitting of the League Assembly, Senator Dandurand declared that the deliberations had shown that the spirit of the protocol drawn up last year still lived, and constituted at the present time an ideal line of conduct. The work done in the last few weeks showed that the sixth Assembly had not disappointed the hopes which the world had set upon it.

It is expected that M. Caillaux will make a new offer to the American Debt Commission.

27 SEPTEMBER 1925

Following an incident where Flying Officer Cuddon-Davies had died, the Air Ministry decided to equip all aircraft with parachutes.

Stanley Baldwin, the Prime Minister, visited Balmoral Castle to visit the King.

The Food Council confirmed an inquiry into the high prices of milk and meat, adding that they were addressing the short measure scandal with legislation expected.