MINOR TREATIES

Evening Star, Issue 17328, 16 April 1920, Page 4

MINOR TREATIES

AUSTRIA AND BALKANS,

DISQUIETING DISCLOSURES.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright, Imperial News Service.

LONDON, April 14. I In the House of Commons, in moving | the second reading of the Bill providing for the carrying into effect of the Austrian and Bulgarian Treaties, Mr C. B. Harmsworth (Parliamentary Secretary of Foreign Affairs) emphasised the difficulties in the case of Austria owing to the breaking up of tho Hapsbtn-gEmph-e. fhe principle of aelf-determination had not-been greatly violated,'although the German population in the Tyrol, numbering a quarter of a million, were included within the new frontier ot Italy. This was due to the principle thai strategic necessities mttet be recognised. The situation on the Jugoslav frontier was for tho moment too delicate for profitable discussion. Regarding reparations, Mr Harmsworth said that since the armistice jjhe Allies had acted with unparalleled magnanimity towards' their former enemies. A most* important article in the treaty was that giving Bulgaria access to the yEgean Sea,"which was not yet definitely settled. Sir Asquith. said that no State in Europe had less justification for joining the Central Powers in tho war than Bulgaria. She came in at the rmc.t critical moment of the struggle, and Bulgaria must bear a heavy responsibility for the prolongation of tho war; therefore the Powers generally could rot be said to have dealt harshly with her. «Mr Asquith uttered a warning against the risk of the " Balkanieation" of Austria. He criticised the absence of provision for commercial intercourse between the now States. It was all-important, he said, that we should recreate economic unity among the Allies, and should insist o'u the disarmament of the new States with a view to safeguarding the peace of Eastern Europe. Mr Bonar Law. in replying in the debate, agreed that the way in which (he small States were arming was deplorable: but they were independent States, end a-ny attempt to limit their armaments would not be- tolerated by them. He admitted that unless a limitation of armaments were brought about the war would have been fought to a large extent in vain. The League of Nations Covenant was embodied in these treaties, and it wae tho duty of the Government to do their utmost to make the League effective - » ° The second reading was carried bv 188 rotes to 34. LEAGUE OF NATIONS.. FEAR OF "THE NEXT WAR." Imperial News Service. . . LONDON, April 14. A large number of nrcminent citv business men have issued a manifesto 'appealing for funds for.a further'active propaganda on behalf of the Leaeue of Nations. on the ground that the League has become an absolute necessity as a business proposition, and is the onlv alternative to another war. which would" utterly ruin the industry and commerce of the "whole of Europe. The manifesto declares that financial support should be regarded by a'l buiness men as a necessary insurance'pre mium for the continuance' of peace. The campaign of education must be on a rational scale, and must extend at least for a generation; hence a lame fund is essential. AMERICA'S ISOLATION. Beater's Telegrams. K . WASiKNGTON. April 14. Among the signatures attached to the appeal for a satisfactory. compromise on tho Treaty of Versailles which was prelected in the Senate were those of Mr W J. Bryan and Mr H. C. Hoover. THE ALMIGHTY DOLLAR. ONLY TRADE MATTERg. WASHINGTON, April 14. (Received April 16, at 9 a.m.) Senator M'G'umber has introduced a substitute peace resolution in which no refermade to the Treaty or the League of Nations, but a resumption of the. commercial pre-war .status between the United States and Germany is declared. Senators pointed" out that this would leave the Senate free to ratify the Treat-y and tho Lcaguo Covenant without conflicting with the terms- of the Senate's peace resolution. It is.stated that a. commercial firm have offered to forward American goods to Russia under the British Flag, and that feeling in tho United StatefTis intense for a resumption of trade with Russia through the lifting of the blockade.