A GENERAL STATEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 148, 26 June 1925, Page 5

A GENERAL STATEMENT

LITTLE NEW INFORMATION

SIGNATORIES ON EQUAL FOOTING.

(ABSTRAUAH-HEW ZHALAND CABLB ASSOCIATION ) "■;.," ■-■■:: ::..• ; LONDON, 25th June./; '■■. Political writers agree that Mr. Chamberlain's statement was too general to be really informative. It contained nothing new \to:-:. students, of .the White Paper. The . speakers following raised various questions baaed on hypothetical circumstances. To most of these Mr. Chamberlain, in winding up the debate, replied that the League would decide. Mr. Chamberlain's winding-up speech, nevertheless, was no more enlightening • than his opening one. It occupied forty minutes, though, owing to the lateness of the hour, it was only briefly reported.. "■.:■ ■ ■ '•■ ■■■- .-.- : . . 'One new fact emerged—Mr. Chamberlain's belief that Cologne would be evacuated within two months. It is interesting to.: note in r this.' connection that tne "Morning Post's" Paris correspondent understands that the last French soldier, will, probably have deft tho Ruhr by 15th August. '. ■ Mr. Chamberlain stressed the fact that the Powers entered the Pact as equals. There was no member signing the agreement who undertook obligations on one side which in altered circumstances did not apply equally :to the; other side. It was in essence not an alliaaoe of one set'of nations against another set, but a mutual agreement of pacific intentions. The Pact cave no right to any Power to tro through the territory of any other to the assistance of a third. The right to march across a neighbour's territory or to the assistance of a .wronged nation was'embodied in the Covenant. It was only when the Leao-ue had exhausted its methods of conciliation that the question of this right arose.

The "Daily Teleeraph," while commending the agreement, '.regards Mr Lloyd - George's and Mr. Mac Donald's points a .legitimate* criticism. It adds: " When the actual negotiations have besun there will be many^ questions ■of difficulty to be faced." .;,.