THE PACT RATIFIED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 129, 13 March 1936, Page 5

THE PACT RATIFIED

VOTE BY FRENCH SENATE. '•NO MENACE TO ANY COUNTRY.’' “HITLER’S GESTURE” A FACTOR. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY. (United Press Association—Copyright) (Received This Day, 10.50 a.in.) PARI/S, March 12. The Senate replied to Herr Hitler’s condemnation of the FrancoSoviet Pact by a vote tor ratification of 231 votes to 52. “No nation has the right to say she is menaced by any stipulation in- this treaty or that she is the victim of encirclement,” said M. Paul TJoncoui, who added, ‘‘lt is not the fault of France if Germany and Poland refuse to join the treaty, which is open to all parties.” . . „ M. Millerand declared: “I originally opposed the pact, but ‘ Hitler s gesture ’ changed my view. The majority of lis now 'approve the pact because we consider that all France at present should he behind the Government. ’ The Communist leader (M. Mareei Cachin) said he voted in favour becaus e it was a pact for peace. The Premier (M. Sqrfaut) confined himself to putting the question, of conIt is learned that the Soviet will ratify the pact immediately. LEAGUE COUNCIL MEETING COST TO BRITAIN ABOUT £SOOO. LONDON, March 11. The Secretary-General (Mr Josepn Avenol), and sixtyl other members of the League of Nations staff are coming to London for the meeting of the council which will occupy a week. The cost to the British Government will he about £SOOO. Meanwhile the signatories to the Pact meet in the old Cabinet room at the Foreign Office adjoining the Locarno rooms, where the treaty was signed. Mr S. M. Bruce (Australia) has arrived in London to preside at the Council meeting.