ATMOSPHERE CLEARS

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 68, 20 March 1936, Page 10

ATMOSPHERE CLEARS

DIPLOMACY IN EUROPE

WORLD CONFERENCE PROPOSED

THREE RESOLUTIONS FOR LEAGUE COUNCIL

(United Press Associatiou—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received March 20, 1.40 p.m.)

LONDON, March 19.

One of ihe most dramatic clays of European diplomacy ended on a note of qualified optimism, the grounds for which will be stated in the House of Commons tomorrow. In the meantime, experts are working on the text of the agreement between the Locarno Powers, the chief points of lvbicli M. Flandin has taken to Paris and M. Van Zeeland to Brussels, while Mr. Eden tonight imparted them to Heir yon RiLbenlrop, who immediately transmitted them to Berlin, ft is understood (hat a plan has been evolved for a great world conference at which not only Heir Hitler's proposals but also the disarmament and economic problems would be discussed and a big effort made to restore confidence and a sense ol security to the harassed world. The draff agreement, as foreshadowed by "The Times" yesterday, covers three periods, the first of which is over, namely, that of pronouncement against Germany. Now comes the interim period until the commencement of the third phase, which will be a period of negotiation. The Locarno Powers propose certain temporary arrangements to cover the interim. These include an invitation to Germany to lay her case before The Hague Court. In the meanlime Germany will not be asked to withdraw her troops from lh«* Rhineland zone, but will be asked to withdraw them from the frontier. This new zone will be policed by an international force for the period of negotiation only. France has also gained her point that there shall be exchanges between the French and British General Staffs. Thus, if Germany accepts the proposals, she will have submitted to arbitration, which the French consider a cardinal point in international law. While making what they regard as a concession and by themselves accepting a Hague verdict, France and Belgium have insisted on a demilitarised zone within the remilitarised zone, in regard to which the Locarno Powers do not expect Germany to make a concession. Three Resolutions for League.

In regard to the future, the agreement proposes an international conference under the auspices of the League of Nations, probably in the summer, of widened scope as indicated above. In the meantime the Locarno Powers will submit three resolutions to the League Council, if a meeting can be arranged next week. The first is a reafflrmation of the sanctity of treaties, the second deals with the question of tho reference to The Hague Court of Germany's contention that the Locarno Treaty was first infringed by France in concluding the FrancoSoviet Tact, and the third will ask the Council to take note of the proposals contained in the agreement.

The last resolution is to ensure that the negotiations are carried on within the framework of the Covenant and with the approval of the Council. It is emphasised in British official circles that the proposals are -:U mud. >.:ijr!el is silting tonight considering the latest draft. There are already reports of modifications. For instance, it is stated that France has abandoned even her demand for the withdrawal of troops from the Rhineland frontier and is willing to rely wholly on Hague arbitration. The French delegation tonight issued a long communique refuting Herr yon RibbentropY arguments before the Council this morning and denying that ihc Franco-Soviet Pact was a military alliance.