TREATY BROKEN

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 150, 20 March 1936, Page 11

TREATY BROKEN

Mr. Eden Reiterates View Of Britain TASK AHEAD OF LEAGUE (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, March IS. In his speech at tlie League Council meeting the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Anthony Eden, said lie had already stated before the Council the view of his Majesty’s Government that a patent and incontestable breach of the provisions of tlie Treaty of Versailles relating to the demilitarised zone had been committed. It would therefore, in the opinion of his Majesty’. Government, be right for tlie Council to come to a similar conclusion and to notify this finding to the Powers signatory to the Locarno Treaty. But in the view of his Majesty’s Government that would be far from being tlie only function which tlie Council had to perforin. Citing Article 7 of tlie Locarno Treaty, Mr. Edeu continued : “Our duty i s not merely to declare that a breach has beeu committed. We must keep steadily before us our ultimate aim and our supreme responsibility, which is to preserve peace, and to establish a good understanding among the nations of Europe upon a firm aud enduring foundation.” The question before the Council did not concern a few Powers only, but all who valued sanctity of treaties and the reign of law in international affairs. The'German Government had emphasised again and again that its aim was peace and a restoration of confidence. “But the German Government will surely recognise, with other Governments, that confidence depends ou belief iu tlie sanctity of treaties and that unilateral repudiation of treaties can only nullify the object which they maintain they have in view.” Suggestion io Germany.

The British had represented to the German Government that pending negations the latter should take such action in the demilitarlseu zone as would restore confidence among the nations, because the British wished to emphasise, and maintained, that after unilateral action of this character confidence could bo restored only if each nation that had the power to do so made a constructive contribution to that end.

Mr. Eden remarked that advantage should be taken in the work of appeasement and reconstruction from two facts: First, that there was no immediate threat of hostilities and that they had time to endow their action with prudence as well as determination, and secondly that the situation, however grave, carried with it an opportunity, and in that connection be paid a warm tribute to the speech of JI. Van Zeeland (Belgium) last Saturday, which he described us wise, moving, and courageous, underlining JI. Van Zeeland’s observation that treaties would be required iu the future as in the past. Duty of Council. Jlr. Eden concluded with the declaration that the Council bad an indispensable part to play and had the right and the duty to consider the situation in all its aspects, taking for guidance the provisions of the Covenant as flwhole. Contributions to the restoration of international confidence, which bad been severely shaken, and to the creation of security would be required from all, and particularly from the great Powers of Western Europe. “I should like to-day to ghjp au assurance that in the work of reconstruction, and in particular in the organisation of security in Western Europe, his .Majesty’s Government will play its full part, it is willing and anxious to make its contribution to these ends. UPHOLDING TREATIES Powers Voice Opinions London, March 18. Addressing the League Council, Signor Grandi said that Italy. Jias fully conscious of its responsibilities and remained faithful to its engagements. It could not be expected that Italy would join in the application of measures to which its own people had beeu subjected. It was regrettable that the political basis on which Locarno rests should have been undermined. Sanctions were being applied against Italy at a moment when Italy was needed as a guarantor of security for Europe. Colonel J. Beck (Poland) said that the Rhineland occupation was a fact to which the Council should bear witness, but lie thought tlie surrounding circumstances were rather a matter for the Locarno signatories. JI. Titulescu (Rumania) said that the Little Entente countries had only one answer—“ Yes. A violation had been committed.” They were not opposed to discussion of Germany’s peace plan, but this must occur at tlie opportune moment, namely, after tlie question raised by France and Belgium had been satisfactorily answered. M. Barcia declared that Spain would support: the contention of France and Belgium. Dr. Jluuch (Denmark) said lie hoped tlie negotiations after tlie present session of Hie Council would achieve durable peace and give the peoples of the world that feeling of security which they ardently desired. Senor Guinazu (Argentina) supported France and Belgium and held that treaties should not be denounced unilaterally unless such denunciation was explicitly provided for. IMPERIAL DEFENCE Straits Settlements To Give £58,000 (British Official Wireless.) (Received March 19, 5.5 p.ni.) Rugby, March 18. Jlr. J. 11. Thomas, Colonial Secretary, reported in the House of Commons, nt question time that the Straits Settlements Legislative Council had decided to make for the third year in succession a contribution to the cost of Imperial Defence. In expressing warm appreciation Mr. Thomas mentioned that the gift would amount to about £58,000.