ANTI-WAR PACT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 26 April 1928, Page 4

ANTI-WAR PACT.

FRENCH ALTERNATIVE DR-AFT. DISTRUST OF GERMANY. (UNITED CHESS ASSOCIATION—BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, April 23. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says there is some surprise and a great deal of disappointment felt in British circles at the wholly uncompromising character of the French alternative draft of Mr. Kellogg’s treaty. M. Briand’s reservations emphasise the wide divergence between Washington and Paris and cut the heart out of the American project. The prospects of Britain or another third party being able to secure an agreement between Washington and Paris are very slender. The opening sentences of Article 1 are evidently intended to remind the Locarno Powers of their special obligations under the Versailles Treaty and the Rhineland Pact in respect of the violation of the demilitarised Rhineland zone,- and shows how ineradicable is the French distrust of Germany and explains why the German Press has taken immediate umbrage.

PLAIN DUTY OF POWERS. (TO NEGOTIATE FOR PACT. LONDON, April 23. “The Times,” in a leader, says there is nothing fro prevent Governments seizing the opportunity which the Franco-American notes have unexpectedly given of advancing the cause of peace. It is not true that Europe generally is hesitating and showing reserve towards the United States’s proposal. Acceptance of the proposed pact does not imply any weakening of the League Covenant and 'of the Locarno pact. Indeed, their most important commitments do not conflict with Mr. Kellogg’s suggestions. France may have to consider her offensive and defensive alliances. For example, she must assist Poland incase of attack, 'but if -Germany, Poland and France signed the pact, the risk of an attack of 'Poland is seriously diminished. Although it is harder to bring the persistent Russian anomaly within the scope.of a general renunciation of war, there is not the slightest reason why the Powers that are untrammelled bv commitments shoul ! not, at the earliest date, signify their agreement to enter into negotiations. Such action is their plain duty.