LONDON DECLARATION

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 9

LONDON DECLARATION

AGREEMENT .ON PLAN

FRESH START F.OR EUROPE

EXPLANATION AND COMMENT

(British Official Wireless.) (Received February 5, 11.30 a.m.)

RUGBY, February 4, The results of the Anglo-French Ministerial conversations, which arc precisely defined in a communique issued last night, are warmly welcomed, and on all sides it is felt that a procedure has been agreed upon which, if carried through, will give Europe a fresh start. The significance of the conversations was emphasised in broadcast speeches made last night by Sir John Simon to British listeners, andM". Laval to the French people. ' -!..-..

The French Foreign Minister expressed au earnest hope that Germany would respond to the pressing call they were-making to her. The Declaration of London, he sai4, emphasised the good spirit common to both France and Britain, and the solidarity of their interests. "It is our common hope to assume and to achieve methodically the organisation of the security of Europe. We have worked hard for peace." AIR PACT EMPHASISED. Sir John Simon devoted a great part of his speech to the proposal mentioned in the communique for an agreement between certain of the Western Powers, by which the signatories to that agreement would undertake immediately to give the assistance of their air forces to any of them which might be the victim of unprovoked aerial aggression by one of the contracting parties. In addition to this most important and novel suggestion relating to security against air attack, he said the communique dealt with: (1) The League of Nations and the undoubted achievements it had secured for the benefit of the world in recent months, of which the Saar settlement was an example. (2) The agreement at Rome-between the French and Italian Governments, and . .

(3) The problem of peace ' and security in Europe, particularly as it was affected by the .claims and position, of Germany. Dealing in greater detail with the air danger, he said that, assuming the Western Powers, parties to the proposed hew agreement, were France, Germany, Belgium, and Britain, the only cases in which Britain might be called upon to .take part under the proposed agreement were those in which she was already bound to participate under the Treaty of Locarno; but it would give precision to a promise at present expressed in more general terms. : "

"We think the right course is to consult some other countries who we imagine would be interested in the project and.willing dispassionately to consider it, and we have communicated .today with Italy, Germany, and Belgium. Germany in this, matter is being treated .as. she ought to be treated,: on a level with everybody else, and invited to discussions. We hope that these other countries will examine ;the project and let us know iff due course whether they do not think it offers great, possibilities for promoting security and the peace of the world." ' > POSITION OF ITALY. Referring to the position of Italy, he observed that under the Locarno Treaty Italy and Britain were not beneficiaries. They did not get the shelter of the roof of Locarno, but were rather like two buttresses outside the building, helping to sustain the roof, but exposed to tht weather. For practical reasons it might be doubted whether the geographical position of Italy was not such that it might be better to conceive possibly not one regional agreement, but perhaps more than one. The terms of the joint communique resulting from the Anglo-French communications were conveyed to the German, Italian, and Belgian Governments yesterday, and. in each case prompt and careful consideration was promised. No immediate' official comment was expected or desired, for the document obviously required careful study. So far as can be judged from the Press, the first impressions of this important document have nowhere been unfavourable. REFERENCE IN COMMONS. In. the House of Commons today Sir John Simon mentioned that before the communique was issued steps had been taken to inform other Locarno Governments—the Italian, Belgian, and German—of the trend of the AngloFrench discussions and-to explain that they were now invited to • join with the French and British Governments in equal consultation. Sir John Simon added that as regards the scheme for providing in Western Europe a deterrent against unprovoked aerial aggression by one country on another, it was agreed, between the French and British Ministers that if the scheme were adopted Britain's commitment would not extend to cases beyond the class of case already covered by her Locarno obligations. During question time the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Lansbury,' expressed his recognition of the importance of the communique which was today issued in a Parliamentary White Paper, and Sir Herbert Samuel, the Liberal Leader, provoked cheers when he congratulated the Foreign Secre-, tary on the measure of agreement so far achieved and expressed the common hope, that it would lead to useful results. Sir. Herbert asked for an assurance that the pursuit of the objects embodied in the communique would not lead to the slackening of the efforts of the Government to secure a general disarmament convention for which those proposals were, of course, not substituted.

To this Sir John Simon replied: "I have no hesitation in giving that assurance." ; ~