SECURITY PACT

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 223, 20 June 1925, Page 7

SECURITY PACT

FRENCH REPLY TO GERMAN PROPOSALS MODIFICATIONS OF PEACE TREATY INVOLVED SUGGESTED ARBITRATION FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICTS The text of the French reply to the German Security Pact proposals has been issued in a White Paper. It fully confirms the press forecasts and created no surprise in London. The reply has met generally with a cautious, critical reception from the English Press. A Berlin message says it is not likely that any decision regarding the Note will be come to for some weeks.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright.

(Rec. June 19, 8.45 p.m.) London, June 18,

A White Paper las been issued containing the French reply to the German security pact proposals. 'The reply welcomes the German step, but points out that it is important to know the views of the German Government on certain questions, because a preliminary agreement concerning them appears necessary as a basis of future negotiations. It emphasises that agreement is only conceivable if Germany enters the League of Nations. Aloreover, tlie search for guarantees for security cannot involve any modifications of the peace treaties. The reply, referring to a suggested pact between the Powers interested in the Rhine, says those States must clearly include Belgium, which is not fnentioned. In reference to «i suggested arbitration treaty guaranteeing the peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflicts, the reply says that as between France and Germany such a treaty ought to apply to all disputes, and not leave room for coercive action unless specially provided for, similar to the Belgo-Gcrman treaty. It is also necessary that the observance of these treaties be assured by a guarantee of the Powers participating In the Rhineland pact, so as to bring the guarantee into immediate operation if one party refused to submit a dispute to arbitration or to carry' out an arbitral award and resorted to hostile measures.

The reply adds that France will welcome the co-operation of the United States, and concludes: "France will be glad to receive a German reply, which will permit of the opening of negotiations, with the object of concluding agreements and constituting new effective guarantees of peace.”— Reuter.

CHAMBERLAIN-BRIAND CORRESPONDENCE

BRITAIN’S WORLD-WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES

(Rcc. June 19, 10.15 p.m.) London, June 19.

The French reply to Germany makes it clear that the guaranteeing by the signatories of the Versailles Treaty of Arbitration treaties beyond those affecting the Rhineland will be optional. The published correspondence shows that Mr. Chamberlain on May 28 stressed the British Government’s position as being different from that of the Continental Powers. In view of the position of the British Empire, with its world-wide responsibilities, the Government was bound to regard the question of participation in treaties outside the Rhineland from a different point of view from that of other Powers whose interests lay mainly or exclusively in Europe. ' Al. Briand on June 4 replied: “We realise the fact that constituent elements of the British Empire are scattered throughout the world, and leads His Majesty’s Government to limit its undertakings on the European Continent to those they consider essential, even when the interests are distinguishable from those of the Continental Powers.” M. Briand further said:— “We fully understand the refusal to bind themselves in advance, except concerning the Rhineland, means only that the British Government, without disinteresting themselves in what* might happen at other points, merely reserve liberty’ of examination of their decision.” Mr. Chamberlain on June 8 informed M. Briand that the French Government was right in assuming that the Rhineland Pact could not operate as a barrier to prevent France taking action in case of a violation between Germany and Poland or between Germany and Czecho-Slavakia.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. OPINIONS OF ENGLISH PRESS CRITICAL RECEPTION OF NOTE POSSIBILITIES OF CONFLICT (Rec. June 19, 10.15 p.m.) London, June 19. No surprise has been expressed at the text of the French reply, which fully confirms the Press forecasts. The reply j

meets with a cautious, critical reception from the Press generally, but the “Morning Post,” in most unqualified terms, approves of it, and proceeds: “We hope the Dominions will grasp the fact that the proposal, instead of involving the Umpire in European entanglements, really relieves it from them. It is when Europe is restless that the Empire must be on its guard, but Europe at peace needs little watching, and this pact is intended to give Europe peace.” The “Morning Post” says: “Air. Lloyd George, in a dispatch to M. Briand at the time of the Cannes Conference, recalled how at a previous Imperial Conference Dominion statesmen were prepared to come to the aid of France if again attacked by Germany Surely then they cannot refuse to support an agreement to which Germany herself is a party.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “Whether the terms of the reply can be regarded as completely satisfactory from the British point of view is not quite clear. The possibility of misunderstanding over the question of independent sanctions is not removed, nor is the operation of the arbitration treaties brought so completely within the League’s sphere of action as had been hoped. The obligation to go to war without recourse to the League would arise r.nder certain circumstances.”

The “Daily Herald’s” diplomatic correspondent fastens on to the sentence in M. Briand’s dispatch in which lie says, “We fully understand,” and ending “decision.” This correspondent says it reveals that there' have been, verbal explanations given to France, in addition to those contained in the published correspondence. The “Daily' Express” hypothetically considers the case of a possible conflict between Poland and Germany. “France would instantlv claim the right to move troops across Germany to assist Poland. In a flash France and Germany would be at war. A combat between French and German units on the Western front would obviously ■ mean the disappearance of the demilitarised zone. German troops in the course of the struggle would certainly make such a movement westwards as would constitute a breach of the Western Pact, whereupon. Britain would be at war with Germany', whether she willed it or not.” The editorial concludes: “This is an agreement to a war pact to which the British nation and the Dominions would never agree.”—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. POSITION OF DOMINIONS KEPT IN TOUCH WITH • NEGOTIATIONS (Rec. June 19, 8.30 p.m.)‘ London, June 18. In the House of Commons, replying to a question whether the Government would undertake not to commit Britain to any liability to embark in hostilities in Europe without first securing the general concurrence of the Dominions to the terms of such liability, Mr. Amerv, Secretary for the Colonies, said the Dominions would be kept in closest touch with the negotiations. He did not think the general principle involved in the question could best be dealt with by question and answer.—Reuter. DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS (Rec. June 19, 8.45 p.m.)’ London, June 18. Mr. Baldwin, in the House of Commons, announced that the debate on the Pact would be taken on the Foreign Office Estimates next Wednesday.-— Reuter. GERMAN DECISION NOT LIKELY FOR SOME WEEKS (Rec. June 19, 8.45 p.m.) Berlin, June 18. It is stated that it is not likely that anv decision regarding the Pact Note will be come to for some weeks. Official circles are reserved, but regard it as generally most satisfactory, though Dr. Stresemann is known to entertain certain objections to the terms of the proviso which lays down that Germany must become a member of the League of Nations before the Pact comes into force. —Reuter.