RECONCILIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 285, 2 December 1925, Page 8

RECONCILIATION.

THE LOCARNO PACT. GREATER EFFORTS IN FUTURE. BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.! (Received 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, December 1. In his speech at the signing of the Locarno Pact, Sir Austen Chamberlain said he was convinced the Treaty marked the commencement of a greater work of reconciliation, and that everybody was ready for even greater efforts in the future.

M. Briand (Premier of France) said the occasion was tho proudest in his long political life. He was sure it marked the beginning of a new era of peace. Dr. Luther, of Germany, said: "This is a memorable day in the history of Europe and of, the world." After tho signature, M. Briand assured Dr. Luther that in speaking as he had done he remained a good Frenchman, just as Dr- Luther, in coming here, had remained a good German. "But both of us are Europeans," he added. Herr yon Stresemann said nothing could serve a greater purpose in these days than the spirit of goodwill evoked by the Locarno Treaty. MR. BALDWIN'S ASSURANCES. Mr. Baldwin, Prime Minister of Great Britain, said he was confident it was the firm intention of all tho nations there represented, as it was of His Majesty's Government, to carry out scrupulously and loyally, the solemn obligations they had undertaken.

A large crowd flanked the battery of photographers gathered in Downing Street to witness the arrival of the delegates to sign in the golden reception room at the Foreign Office, "The Treaty Of Mutual Guarantee," which is the official title of the Locarno Pact. There was a rush when the Germans arrived, and some raising of hats, but no other demonstration.

DOMINION REPRESENTATIVES. The diplomatic representatives of the signatory Powers, tho Hritish Ambassadors to Paris, Berlin and Brussels, members of the Cabinet, and High Commissioners for the Dominions were accorded seats at tho ceremony, which was cinematographed. The signing of the historic Pact began at 11.25, and was completed at 11.38. Besides the Treaty of Locarno, signatures were also affixed to the arbitration treaties and conventions which were initialled at Locarno. Punctually at eleven o'clock an official clapped his hands, the arc lights were turned on, and the cameras began to whirr. Sir Austen Chamberlain read in French a message from tho King regretting that the Bad loss of his mother, the Dowager Queen Alexandra, prevented him from celebrating the occasion as he could have wished to do, but expressing it.as his "dearest hope that the great work of appeasement and reconciliation will provide the foundation for sincere friendship among the several nations which are parties to tho Treaty of Mutual Guar-antee.—-(A. and N.Z. Cable.)