Premiers' Conference

The substance of the meetings between Herriot and MacDonald (TIME, June 30) and Herriot and Theunis (TIME, this issue) was the reiteration of and the adherence to a recent York speech of Premier MacDonald of

Britain, an important passage of which is:

"We will say to Germany: 'If you are going to accept the Dawes and McKenna reports, we will take you at your word. We have no preparations to meet any default on your part. If after this solemn obligation you do default, then we and our Allies will be closer than ever. We will wait for the event. But we trust you.' "

In the House of Commons, Premier MacDonald of Britain made it clear that the Premiers' Conference, which the French and British Premiers decided to call (TIME, June 30), will concern itself solely with putting into operation the provisions of the Experts' Report. Once this was settled, continued the Premier, the problems of interallied debts and French security would be separately broached. There is much wisdom in segregating these problems and settling them one by one; for in this sane policy lies at least the certainty that something will be done to relieve the burdens of a staggering Europe.

The most significant development was the invitation extended by Premier MacDonald to the U. S. Government to take part, on its own terms, in the forthcoming Premiers' Conference, which is to be held in London on July 16.

The U. S. Government accepted the invitation and appointed Frank B. Kellogg, U. S. Ambassador to Britain, to be the official representative of President Coolidge at the Conference. The White House message, making known the decision, read:

"It is the desire of the Administration that the Dawes plan should be put into effect as speedily as possible. This is the first essential step to the economic recovery abroad, in which this country is vitally interested. It is with this view, that, in response to the invitation extended by Prime Minister MacDonald, instructions have been given to Ambassador Kellogg to attend the conference in London on July 16 for the purpose of dealing with such matters as affect the interests of the United States and otherwise for purposes of information."