The Hawera Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1926. GERMANY AND RUSSIA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 29 April 1926, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1926. GERMANY AND RUSSIA.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock in Hawera. Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa, Eltham, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Alton, Hurleyville, Patea. Wnverley. Molcoia, Wbakamara, Ohangai, Moremere. Fraser Road and Ararata.

Any action by Germany is viewed with suspicion in Paris. Hence the concern regarding the new Russo-German treaty, the text of which was published yesterday. So fa.r as it is possible to judge from this side of the world, however, there is not much to fear from the agreed relationship between the two Powers. There is nothing directly hostile to any other nation, and even the indirect influence, which is being questioned in some quarters, is an influence for peace and not war. In the event of armed attack, or of economic attack by a group of Powers, against either Russia or Germany, the other party to the treaty guarantees not to interfere. It is true that this may operate to weaken any police action deemed necessary by the council of the League of Nations —although neither Germany nor Russia is yet a member of the League—but it is infinitely preferable to an alliance for mutual support in warfare. European diplomacy has reached jn. fairly tangled state if a guarantee of neutrality is to be interpreted as an act of hostility. Admittedly, the guarantees which Germany and Russia have given would interfere with the working of the Covenant of the League in the event of both Powers becoming members, and one offending against the provisions of the Covenant sufficiently to call for action by other members. But to hold up this possibility now is to go looking for trouble. Far better to accept Sir Austen Chamberlain’s view that "it would be a great mistake to regard these negotiations jealously or suspiciously, provided they assure peace between the parties, and that they are not directed to forming hostile alliances.” Any incompatibility with the obligations imposed by League membership mav be left for future consideration.