OFFICIAL ACTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1937, Page 7

OFFICIAL ACTION.

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

{ Formal Release of Belgium from Locarno Obligations. TWO-POWEB DECLARATION. British Official Wirelem. RUGBY, April 26. A joint declaration, the chief effect of ivhieh is to relieve Belgium from her obligations toward Britain and France resulting from the Treaty of Locarno and the arrangements drawn up in London on March "19, 1936, was communicated by the British and French Ambassadors to the Belgian Foreign Minister. The text of the communication \ras as follows:— "The Governments, of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, and of the French Republic, have not failed during the last few months to give their full attention to the desire of the Belgian Government to have the international rights and obligations of Belgium clarified in certain respects, where this is rendered necessarv by her geographical position, and by delays which may still occur before the negotiation and conclusion of a general Act intended to replace the Treaty of Locarno.

"The Governments of Britain and France being anxious to give full expression to their sympathy with this desire of the Belgian Government agreed to make the following declaration, namely, that the said Governments have taken note of the views which the Belgian Government has itself expressed concerning the interests of Belgium, and more particularly:—

"(1) The determination expressed publicly and on more than one occasion by the Belgian Government, (a) to defend the frontiers of Belgium with all its forces against any aggression or invasion and to prevent Belgian territory from being used for purposes of aggression against another State as a passage or as a base for operations by land, by sea, or in the air; (b) to organise the defence of Belgium in an efficient manner for this purpose.

"(2) The renewed assurances of the fidelity of Belgium to the Covenant of the League of Nations, and to the obligations which it involves for members of the League.

"In consequence of taking into account this determination and these assurances the Governments of Britain and France declare that they consider Belgium to be now released from all her obligations toward them resulting from either the Treaty of Locarno or the arrangements drawn up in London on March 19, 1936.

"The two Governments maintain in respect to Belgium the undertaking of assistance which they entered into toward her under the above-mentioned instruments. They agree that the release of Belgium from her obligations in no way affects the existing undertakings between Britain and France."

The following is a translation of a communication from the Belgian Foreign Minister to the British Ambassador at Brussels:—"The Belgian Government has taken note with, great satisfaction of the declaration communicated to it by the British Government. It thanks the Government warmly for this communication.', A similar communication was addressed to the French Ambassador at Brussels.

The British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, left for Brussels yesterday. Daring his official visit he will be received by King Leopold and will meet leading Belgian statesmen.

Mr. Eden, Dr. van Zeeland, Belgian Prime Minister, "and M. Spaak, Foreign Minister, discussed in the presence of the Ambassador, Sir Esmond Ovey, the position of Belgium under the proposed Western Pact.

Belgium accepted Mr. Eden's viewpoint that she should adhere to her League Covenant obligations to defend herself. She does not foresee an agreement with Germany unless the latter modifies her demands. ROAD BROADENED. WAY TO PEACE IMPROVED. British Official Wireless. (Received 12 noon.) RUGBY, April 26. The Franco-British declaration relieving Belgium from her Locarno obligations while continuing in force French and British guarantees, is the subject of comment by "The Times," which says the declaration broadens the road for peaceful advance in the West.

While it is explicit and effective in itself, it presents no barrier to wider organisation of Western security, and it places Belgium in a position which ought to strengthen her independence in all senses and enable her to work more effectively for general political and economic appeasement. That alone can provide her and others with real security for the future.