PEACE IN EUROPE

Evening Star, Issue 21433, 9 June 1933, Page 6

PEACE IN EUROPE

THE FOUR-POWER PACT IN IICCOMAHCE WITH SPIMT OF LEAGUE (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright RUGBY, June 8. (Received June 9, at noon.) A despatch from Sir John Simon t» the British Ambassador at Rome commenting on the aim and purpose of the Four-Power “ agreement of understanding and co-operation ” is included in a White Paper containing the text of that document issued to-night. The despatch states: —“ Throughout the negotiations we made it clear that the proposed agreement should in no sense be regarded as a substitute for, or as set in opposition to, the Covenant of the League. It is not a piece of rival or competing machinery, but is framed for the purpose of operating within the ambit of the Covenant, and is intended to aid in the maintenance of the principles for which the League stands. The methods and procedures which may fall to be studied or adopted under the agreement are strictly 'in accordance with the spirit of the Covenant.”

Sir JoHa Pinion also emphasises that the proposed agreement was never intended to invoke any attempt on the part of the four Powers, if not to impose their will on other States, at least to establish themselves as a kind of directory in Europe. Such a conception would be entirely foreign to the principles of the Covenant, which recognises the equal right of all States,just as in appropriate cases it requires their unanimity. “ I have been at pains to explain the attitude of His Majesty’s Government on this matter to the representatives of the other Powers, and particularly to Belgium, Poland, and the Little Entente. By the form .which the proposed agreement has finally assumed I am confident that any such erroneous impression will be completely eradicated. In this connection I may refer in particular to tha last paragraph of the preamble to the agreement, which specifically states that the four Powers are mindful of the rights of every State, which cannot be affected without the consent,of the interested party. There can, therefore, be no possible doubt that the object of the agreement is to ensure over many years to come that France, Germany, Italy, and ourselves may agree in Europe upon the same policy of peace. That is an object which must be generally approved, and it is entirely consistent with the aim and spirit of the League Covenant and with due respect for the rights of other Powers.”

Sir John Simon pointed out that the agreement, which contemplates quadrilateral examination in respect to methods of procedure, is expressly, stated to be “ without prejudice to decisions which can only be taken by the regular organs of the League of Nations.”

MUSSOLINI'S GOOD OFFICES

HOME, June 8,

It is learned that German assent to the Four-Power Pact was rendered possible by Signor Mussolini telephoning to Herr Hitler personally.

MUSSOLINI'S CLEMENCY

PROFESSOR EYDELTX PARDONED.

ROME, June 8. (Received June 9, at 10 a.m.)

As a special gesture to France following the initialling of the pact Signor Mussolini has pardoned Professor Eydeux.

[One of tho most remarkable espionage trials - since the war resulted in Professor Charles Eydeux, head of tho French Military Academy, being sentenced at Rome to two years’ imprisonment. The case was heard in February last. The prosecutor declared that Professor Eydeux visited Italy almost yearly and provided foreigners with valuable information, about Italy’s war preparations.]