SECURITY PACT PROBLEM

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 248, 23 July 1925, Page 9

SECURITY PACT PROBLEM

GERMANY’S REPLY TO FRENCH NOTE INFORMATION REGARDING ARBITRATION TREATIES ASKED FOR 'CONDITIONS FOR JOINING THE LEAGUE OF ' NATIONS Germany’s reply to the French Note on the question of >a security pact expresses doubts regarding the concluding ;of treaties of arbitration with her neighbours, and asks for •■further elucidation on this point. She is Dot willing to become a member of th e League of Nations until satisfaction ; is given regarding Article 16 of the Covenant, which provides that members shall contribute to th e armed forces 'to be used to protect the League’s covenants and afford passage through their teri'itory to such forces.

By Telegraph—Press Association- OoPY'bight.

(Rec. July 22, 11.15 p.m.)

London, July 21.

’ The published text of the German Note confirms the forecast previously cabled. It points out that the German suggestions do not represent a modification of the existing treaties, although they do not mean the permanent exclusion of peacefully adapting the' existing treaties to future changed conditions. With regard to the treaty provisions concerning the military occupation, the Note states that a security pact would represent jin important innovation, which would be bound to react on the conditions of occupied territories, and questions of occupation generally.

The Note remarks on the prominence the Allies assign to the necessity of Germany concluding treaties of arbitration with her neighbours who are signatories of the peace treaty, expresses doubts on the question, and asks for further elucidation in this regard, in view of the possibility of that question deciding whether a disturbance of the peace exists, and the application of coercive measures may be put in the hands of one of the contracting parties.

Germany is willing to link up her membership of the League of Nations with the negotiations, but until satisfaction is given concerning Article 16 pf the Covenant, Germany, unarmed, will be exposed to unlimited danger of involvement in armed conflicts with third countries.—Reuter.

OPINIONS REGARDING THE NOTE (Rec. July 22, 5.5 p.m.) London, July 21. Commenting on the German Note, the “Daily Express” says: "It is courteous in tone, but decisive. In effect the Germans have given the French Note a polite funeral. The decision delivers the British Empire from a peril which would have ruptured its political and diplomatic unity. Our young men will not now be sent to die in some squabble in the Danzig corridor. Mr. Bonar Law declared that we cannot afford to police Europe. Let us hope we shall hear no more of the pact. We can resume the task of developing the Empire without dread of discord.” The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says British circles are reticent, but • the first impression is favourable. Exception cannot be taken to the tone of the Note. It reflects a tactfulness and a finesse which are Latin rather than Teutonic.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FAVOURABLY RECEIVED IN PARIS (Rec. July 22, 5.5 p.m.) Paris, July 21. The reply was favourably received nt the Quai d’Orsay. So far as France ts concerned, negotiations on the pact will certainly begin, but it may be a fortnight before a reply can be framed. M. Briand, the Finance Minister, is optimistic about the future negotiations. Paris newspapers insist that the tone of the German Note is concilia-tory.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.