LOCARNO PACT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18546, 23 November 1925, Page 10

LOCARNO PACT.

POSITION OF DOMINIONS. COMPLICATED PROBLEM. (»t cable—rrkss assoctattok —coptbiobt.) (Stdnbt "Sto" Smvicx.) LONDON, November 20. It is learned that a unique and delicate problem of constitutional etiquette exercising Downing street is whether the Dominions should attend to sign the Locarno Pact on December Ist. Since the Dominions acquired the status of separate nations, sending their own representatives to the League of Nations, they have been exhaustively informed of the developments oi foreign affairs. The general elections .in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand further complicate the position. Moreover, Great Britain is not yet aware whether any of the Dominions will have ratified the Pact before December Ist. It presumed New Zealand, from her long and steady a/squiescenc© fn Great Britain's lead, would bo prepared to sign, but it would be an anomalous position if New Zealand were the only Dominion attending the historic ceremony on December Ist. GERMAN ATTITUDE. (AtrSTRALIAir AMD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATIOX.) (Received November 22nd, 0.0 p.m.) BERLIN. November 20. A number of Socialists have decided to vote in favour of ■the' Locarno Pact the Reichstag on Monday. It is xpected there will be a substantial majority for its ratification. Dr. Luther intimated that Cabinet would resign after the Pact was signed. NO CEREMONIAL. (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received November 22nd, 0.0 p.m.) LONDON, November 21. On account of t-he death of Queen Alexandra, it is understood that the signature of the Security Pact, which is to take place at London on December Ist, will now bo purely formal. The elaborate ceremony and programme of festivities arranged may be very much curtailed, or possibly abandoned.-