NEW POLITICAL SPIRIT

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 248, 15 July 1932, Page 9

NEW POLITICAL SPIRIT

Sequel to Lausanne ANGLO-FRENCH PACT Effort in Cause of Peace CANDID & OPEN RELATIONS , Official Wireless. Rugby, July 13. As a direct sequel to the Lausanne Conference, the British and French Governments have issued an open Invitation to the other leading European Powers to deal _ with the future economic and political problems of Europe in the same helpful spirit that prevailed at Lausanne. The general lines of the proposal were announced simultaneously in the House of Commons by Sir John Simon, the Foreign Secretary, and in the French Chamber of Deputies by M. Herriot, the Premier. Sir John Simon recalled that in his speech last night he had concluded by saying that at Lausanne they had tried to get the countries of Europe to look forward, and that they wanted to secure that the whole problem of -Europe was dealt with in a spirit of candour and mutual assistance. They had been attempting in the last 'ew days to formulate an expression of this new political spirit . which was Illustrated at Lausanne. What they had in mind was no part of the Lausanne agreement and no part of the Lausanne documents. It was an invitation to cdopt candid and open relations and discussions, to which they hoped all the leading Powers would respond. They were endeavouring to promote a European agreement as to the manner in which future difficulties should be " discussed. He read the terms of the agreed announcement as follow: — “In the declaration which forms part of the final act of the Lausanne Conference the signatory Powers express the hope that the task here accomplished will be followed by fresh achievements. They affirm that further success will be more readily won if the nations will rally to a new effort in the cause of peace, which can only be complete if it is applied both in the economic and political sphere. ,In the same document the signatory Powers declare their intention to make every effort to resolve the problems which exist or may arise subsequently in the spirit which has inspired the Lausanne agreement.” Giving a Lead. “In that spirit his Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and the French Government have decided to give a lead in making an immediate and mutual contribution to that end on the following lines:— “(1) In accordance with the spirit of the Covenant of the League, they intend to excharge views with one another with complete candour concerning and to keep each other mutually informed of any questions coming to their notice similar in origin to that now so happily settled at Lausanne which may affect the Euro- • pean regime. It is their hope that other. Governments will join in adopting this procedure. ' To Solve Disarmament Question. “(2) They intend to work together and with other delegations at Geneva to find a, solution of the disarmament question ’which will be. beneficial and equitable for all Powers concerned. “(3) They will co-operate with each other and other interested Governv meats in a careful and practical preparation of a world economic conference. “(4) Pending negotiation'at a later date of a new commercial treaty between their two countries they will avoid any action in the nature of discrimination by one country against the interests of the other.” In reference to disarmament, Sir John Simon said that Britain had already announced her intention to cooperate with the United States in the work at Geneva. He was now returning to Geneva to help in working‘out the principles of the Hoover proposals. Paragraph 4 of the document referred to commercial relations pending the discussion of a commercial treaty between France and Britain, but the other three paragraphs, he said, were proposals to other principal Powers in Europe. He adled that he had to-day seen the representatives of Germany, Italy, and Belgium, and in each case > had handed a copy of the above announcement, ex'end'ng to their Gowrmr'-nts .an invitat'on to assec'ate themselves with the declaration. , OPENING NEW ERA Keen Satisfaction in France * Bv Telegiaph—Press Assn.-—Copyrirht Paris, July 13. The Premier, M. Herriot, describes the Anglo-French Pact as a resurrection of the Entente Cordiale. opening a t.ew era of Franco-British relations. "France has received the agreement with keen satisfaction." he said, "since it ends the possibility of a tariff war, and maintains the status quo of Franco-British trade pending the negotiation of a trade treaty at Ottawa." M. Herriot told the Chamber of Deputies that in future no problem affecting both countries could be treated separately. The Immediate consequence would be that Britain could rot, as In 1923. undertake debt settlement payments to the United States without previously consulting ’he French Government. The certainty of a concerted attitude would facilitate negotiations at Washington.

DEBTS TO AMERICA No United Front Formed (Bee. July 14, 8.45 p.m.) London. July 14. A British official spokesman emphasises that the Franco-British understanding has no reference, explicit or implied, to debts to America, and must hot be interpreted as an effort to form a united front regarding them.