BELGIAN OBLIGATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 April 1937, Page 7

BELGIAN OBLIGATIONS

ANGLO-FRENCH DECLARATION

“LOCARNO” CONCESSION

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, April 24

A joint declaration, the chief effect of which is to relieve Belgium from her obligations towards Britain and France, resulting from the Treaty of Locarno and the arrangements drawn up in London on March 19, 1936, was communicated by the British and French Ambassadors to the Belgium Foreign Minister. The text is as follows: —

“The Governments of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland and the French Republic, have not failed during the last few months to give their full attention to the desire of t,he Belgian Government to have the international rights and obligations of Belgium clarified in certain respects where this' is rendered necessary by her geographical position, and by the delays which may still occur before the negotiation and conclusion of a general pact which is intended to replace the Treaty of Locarno. “The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of France, being anxious to give full expression to their sympathy with this desire of the Belgian Government, have agreed to make the following declaration, namely: “The said Governments had taken note of the views which the Belgian Government has itself expressed concerning the interests of Belgium, and more particularly: (1) The determination expressed publicly and on more than one occasion by the Belgian Government, (a) To defend the frontiers of Belgium with all its forces against any aggression or invasion, and to prevent Belgian territory from being used for the purposes of aggression against another state as a passage or as a base for operation by land, by sea, or in the air; (b) to organise the defence of Belgium in an efficient manner for this purpose. (2) The renewed assurances of fidelity of Belgium to the Covenant of the League of Nations and to the obligations which it involves for members of the League.

“In consequence, taking into account the determination and assurances, the Government of the United Kingdom and th© Government of the Republic of France declare that they consider Belgium to be now reelased from all obligations towards them, resulting from 'hither the Treaty of Locarno or the arrangements drawn up in London on March 19, 1936, and that they maintain in respect of Belgium the undertaking of assistance which they entered into towards her under the above-mentioned instruments. “The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic of France agree that the release of Belgium from her obligations in no way affects the existing undertakings between the United Kingdom and France.” _ ' Following is a translation ot the communication from the Belgian Foreign Minister to His Majesty’s Ambassador in Brussels: —“The Royal Government has taken note with great satisfaction of the declaration communicated to it by the Government of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland. It thanks the Government warmly for this communication.” A similar communication has been addressed to the French Ambassador in Brussels.

BELGIUM’S ATTITUDE

(Recd. April 27, 11 a.m.) BRUSSELS, April 26

Mr. Eden, Premier Van Zeeland, and the Foreign Minister (M. Spaak) discussed in the presence of Sir Edmund Ovey (the Ambassador) the position of Belgium under the proposed western pact. Belgium accepted Mr. Eden’s viewpoint that she should adhere to the conventional obligations to defend herself, but she does not foresee an agreement with Germany unless the latter modifies her demands.

MR. EDEN’S APPEAL

(Recd. April 27, 2 p.m.). BRUSSELS, April 26.

An appeal to the war generation in its increasing control of foreign affairs to combine and avert war, was the keynote of Mr. Eden’s speech at the Foreign Minister’s banquet. Mr. Eden pointed out that Premier Van Zeeland, M. Spaak, M. Delbos, Hitler, himself, and many other statesmen, were war-timers, and he hoped all would co-operate in establishing peace. The first task was to ensure that the world would never again be subjected to such an ordeal. “There is justification for believing that lately there has been some alleviation of international tension, but a positive programme must be found Peace cannot be created by mere expressions of goodwill,’ he added. Influences are working which should aid us in realising the ambition of the enduring English and Belgian comradeships, formed in war time. Nobody is more qualified to play a part in establishing peace than Belgium, who suffered so much in the past,’

LONDON PRESS COMMENT.

[BRITISH OFFICIAL WIRELESS.]

RUGBY, April 26

The Franco-British declaration relieving Belgium from her Locarno obligations, while continuing in force the French-British guarantees, is the subject, of comment, by “The Times,’ which savs:— The declaration broadens the road for a peaceful advance in the West. While it is explicit and effective in itself, it presents no hairier to wider organisation of Western security, and it places Belgium in a position which ought to strengthen her independence in all senses, and enable her to work more effectively for the general political and economic appeasement, that, alone can provide her and others with real security for the lulu re. _____