FRENCH NOTE PUBLISHED

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 143, 20 June 1925, Page 7

FRENCH NOTE PUBLISHED

ARBITRATION PROPOSALS

ALL DISPUTES SHOULD BE

COVERED

(UNITED PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPXMGHT.)

(RSOTKR'S TELEGRAU.)

LONDON, 18th June.

A White Paper lias been issued con-, taining 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. Moreover, the 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 ithme, says those States most clearly include Belgium, which is not mentioned In reference to a suggested arbitration treaty guaranteeing the peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflicts, the reply says that as between .France and Germany such a treaty ou^ht to apply to all disputes, and not leave room for coercive action unless specially provided for, as in the Treaty between Belgium and Germany. 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 th.c 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 bo 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." The French reply makes it clear that the guranteeing, by the signatories of the Versailles Treat s',5', of arbitration treaties beyond -those affecting the Khineland will be optional.