SECURITY PACT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18399, 4 June 1925, Page 9

SECURITY PACT.

EMPIRE AGAINST WAR.

FRANCE MUST RECONCILE EAST OBLIGATIONS.

(BT CABLE —PRESS A3SOCIATIOS —COFYSIQHT.) (AUSTRALIA!, AND X.2. CABLE ASSOCIATIOS.)

(Received June 3rd, 10.1-j p.m.)

LONDON, July 2.

The "Daily Telegraph's" diplomatic correspondent says:—Every member of the British Government realises that the publie opiniou of the British Empire will never agree to war. short of a direct foreign attack upon a part of the Empire, or bind itself to go to war except on behalf of a c-auso which is righteous and vitally affects the Empire 's security.

These factors govern the Britisu policy in the present security negotiations. Even a pact strictly limited to the West should be strictly mutual, so that British intervention would be assured general consensus of opinion that t&e cause was just. Neither detailed nor definitely binding proposals can be framed without the concurrence Dominions, with which continuous contact and communication, will be maintained.

It is now a matter of reconciling France's obligations of honour to her eastern alffes with the two governing principles of British policy above mentioned, a task which may well prove the crux of the negotiations as to the conditions under which tho bolted door of the demilitarised zone might be unlocked for France, or alternately for Germany. This might be accomplished by special conciliation treaties between Germany and her neighbours, or by Bpecial procedure regulating the rights and responsibilities of the signatories so that the key to the zone would not be in the hands of a single trustee. It will take several months to work out the new pact. Meanwhile tho best brains in the British and Dominion Cabinets, and in the Foreign Office are working out a scheme.

NO TIME LIMIT TO GUARANTEE,

(Received June 3rd, 7.5 p.m.)

LONDON, June 2,

There is no further development regarding the German security proposal. The French' are still studying tho British suggestions. It is authoritatively denied that the British guarantee for the western frontier is for 30 years. It is pointed out that there is no time limit. The guarantee continues as long as the Treaty exists. Tho whole note is one of general principle. It is still too early to talk of details.