NOT FOR PACTS

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXII, Issue 12529, 15 April 1935, Page 5

NOT FOR PACTS

GERMANY’S View OF Mi Lit ARY ALLIANCES. would join in measures AGAINST AGGRESSOR. ROWERS’ present scheme CONTRADICTORY. UNABLE to sign such pacts. HITLER MAKES POSITION CLEAR. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright! (Received April' 14, 6.35 p.m.) BERLIN, April 13. Herr Hitler defined the Ge'rriian polity regarding an Eastern pact, in a communique, stating: (1) During the Berlin conversations the Chancellor informed the British delegates that Germany regretted her inability to join the pact in its suggested form, but ivas ready to approve of a collective security pact consisting of mutual and general noil-aggression obligations, arbitration and consultation in tlie event of a disturbance Of peace. Germany, while emphasising tlie difficulty of establishing the identity of the aggressor, was ready to join general measures for the non-support of the aggressor. Germany still adheres to that. (2) The Chancellor declared that Germany was unable to accept a proposal which more or less made automatic military assistance obligatory, as it menaced rather than maintained peace. Germany still adheres to that view. (3) TTie Government soon after the assumption of power, expressed the Wish for non-aggression pacts with her neighbours, making the offer re->jn^-d(less of existing bi-lateral arid multi-lateral pacts. Germany, not possessing aggressive intentions, and feeling itself unaffected by genuine defensive agreements, adheres to that view. Moreover, as Grmnny cannot join a pact including military obligations, it is impossible that such arrangements, if they lie outside the pact, can preverit her concluding nonaggression pacts- on the above-men-tioned basis. This is the spirit of Germany’s reply to Sir John Simon’s question whether Germany is ready to conclude an Eastern pact on the basis laid down or if other States have already made or have contemplated m utual special arrangements. Germany desires to add that the obligations of military assistance supplementing non-aggression pacts or pacts ruling out violemie are contradictory. If one believes iii the obligations which are voluntarily assilni ed there is no need tor such arrangements. If, however, there is doubt regarding a State’s intentions to live up to such obligations, such doubts would also be justified regarding the fulfilment of supplementary military obligations. If wars can arise from noil-aggression pacts, it is equally possible that aggression will arise from defehsive and mutual assistance pacts. Nevertheless, the Government is of opinion that it is much further from non-aggression pacts to a breach of peace than from defensive military obligations to offensive obligations. Germany docs not see in the development of European military alliances cither an element of collective peaceful development, or a guarantee of peace. Therefore she is unable to sign pacts containing such obligations, whether for all or any signatories. I’ll ONOUNCEMENT CAUSES SENSATION. GERMANY PLEASED. TRIBUTES TO BRITAIN'S FIRM STAND. (U-P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received April 14, 7.3.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. The Observer’s Berlin correspondent says that Germany is pleased with the sensation caused at Stresa. by Herr Hitlers’ pronouncement respecting* Eastern security. The Dr. tish Ministers are highly praised for not allowing themselves to be drawn into a threatened united front against Germany. Mr. MacDonald especially gets good riiarks for his fight- for moderation. The headlines in the press generally aver that the English standpoint rvon through, rvliile one paper suggests tlie possibility of a larger cOliferehce to include Germany. Editorials express the opinion that England lias lieeh able to carry through her policy of collocti\ r c security against- ,|he group system in Europe. CORDIAL COLLABORATION OF POWERS. PROBLEM OF SANCTIONS THRESHED out. AUSTRIA’S INDEPENDENCE . MUST BE SAFEGUARDED. (U.P.A. by Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received April 14, 6.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 13. A Stresa communique announced that the delegates will meet at 10 a.m. to-morrow and draAv up agreed texts regarding various points, expressing cordiality at the collaboration Avhich lias existed throughout the conference. To-day’s meetings ended at 7.30 p.m. and covered all. the points of-the.- London protocol and other . matters. , .• , • ■ The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent at Stresa says that the conference lengthily discussed the form,in which the sanctions could he .applied to a State unilaterally - repudiating its treaty obligations. 4 no French Government would have liked ri more specific .assurance from Britain tliat .sanctions would he definitely applied in future. Eventually, the delegations agreed that the best course Avould be to recommend thfe League Council to appoint a committee to consider the whole question Probably a . resolution will be sub-

mitted to the council in two parts I the first condemning Germany’s breach; and. the second dealing with’ the future. } Signor Mussolini stressed the imIportance of having an independent Austria on the ground that if this ■brick in tlie wall was allowed tb icrumble others drop. Thero was complete unanimity on this subject .among the three Governments. A Paris message says it is understood that a cbrifereiice of States interested in safeguarding Austrian independence, will be held at Rome on May 20 and will* he attended by France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary, and the Little Entente Avitli the addition of a British observer. INDEPENDENCE OF AUSTRIA. DA NUBIAN CONFERENCE TO BE CALLED. GERMANY INVITED. • EASTERN NON-AGGRESSTON PACT POSTPONED. (U.P.A. by Eiec. Tel. Copyright.) (Received April 14, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. The Sunday Times Stresa corres--1 pendent says that the main feature of to-day’s work was tlie decision to call a Danubian conference on May 20 to deal primarily with the question of Austrian independence. The conier--1 fence will be convened by Italy, arid j tlie powers invited will be Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, 1 Jugoslavia as a succession of States, I Germany and Poland as interested 1 parties, France as a signatory to the | Rome agreement and England and Switzerland as observers, j It is understood that the discussions will be divided into two parts (1) The preservation of Austrian ini dependence, which means guarantees j of non-interference by other Powers; I (2 )3.Tio conclusion of a series of non--1 aggression pacts among the Danubian countries. j it- is understood that it was decided to prepare a draft of the propos- • ec ] Eastern pact of non-aggression ior 1 submission to Germany, Russia and I Poland as it decided the question oi ! rearmament for Austria Hungary and | Bulgaria, but it was postponed for a lat-etl conference. S The Powers agreed to make representation to the League Council oon- ! detuning the German breach of the | Versailles treaty, and proposing action to prevent a repetition. France and Italy appear satisfied with Britain’s policy of moral supI port, with no further commitments in Europe.