A FRANCO-GERMAN PACT

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 66, 10 December 1938, Page 10

A FRANCO-GERMAN PACT

Stated briefly, the new Franco-German pact amounts to mutual recognition by the two nations of the existing frontiers between the two, and a declaration that there should lie no difficulty in the future in treating by friendly negotiation any questions that may arise. Ihe frontier agreement is the most tangible feature of the agreement. Ihe rest of it simply expresses, in the trite phraseology of diplomatic language, a pious hope. It is, however, an important gain for the cause of European appeasement that the frontier question has been definitely removed from the situation. Its disappearance should enable the two countries to study the remaining problems touching their relationships in a new, and it may be hoped, a more accommodating spirit. That it has been possible for as much as this to be accomplished is at least promising. Disappointing experience of broken agreements and repudiated obligations in the past has discouraged people from placing much faith in the efficacy of pacts between European nations. Their attitude toward this latest development may, therefore, incline them rather to hopeful anticipation than confidence. The more sceptical may ask whether there is not an ulterior motive behind Germany’s desirq to conciliate France. It will take considerable time and effort to restore the public’s faith in the sanctity of international agreements. The success of this latest pact, when put to the test in actual practice, would therefore assist valuably to dispel the suspicions a long series of European crises, and competitive rearmaments, have engendered. Since the Munich Conference, which rounded off the most recent and most dangerous crisis since 1914, we have had the Anglo-French exchange of courtesies and official talks, the Anglo-American trade agreement, the Franco-German pact, and, shortly, a British Ministerial delegation’ will visit Rome. In the present atmosphere of doubts, alarms and suspicions it might be thought too optimistic to regard these events as manifestations of a revival of the spirit of conciliation among the nations. But the friends of peace will sincerely hope so.