FOUR POWER AGREEMENT

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 9 June 1933, Page 9

FOUR POWER AGREEMENT

LATE EDITION

SIR JOHN SIMON’S OUTLINE ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN ■LEAGUE PRINCIPLES (UPHELD

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, June 8. A despatch, from Sir John Simon to the British Ambassador at Home, 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 oi that document issued to-night. TJ;e despatch state©: “Throughout the negotiations we made it clear that the proposed agreement should in no sense be regarded as a substitute tor, or as set in, opposition to, the Covenant or 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 John also emphasises that the proposed agreement was never intended to invoke any attempt on the part oi the four Powers to impose their will on other States to establish themselves as a kind of directory m Europe. Such a conception would be entirely foreign to the principles of the Covenant, which recognised the equal right of all States just as inappropriate cases 11required their unanimity. “I have been at pains to explain the attitude of His Majesty’s Government in this matter to the represen--ttitives of other Powers, and particularly to Belgium, Poland and the Little Entente,” said Sir John. “By the form which the proposed agreement has finally assumed I am confident tliat any such erroneous impression will be completely eradicated. In this connection 1 may refer in particular to the last paragraph of the agreement, which specifically states that the four Powers are mindful of the rights oi" every State which cannot be affected without the consent of the interested party. There can, therefore, be no possible doubt that the object of tlie agreement is to ensure that over man) yeans to come France, Germany, Italy and ourselves may agree in Europe upon the same policy of peace. That is the 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 points out that the agreement, which contemplates quadri lateral examination in respect of the methods of procedure, is expressly stated to be without prejudice to clecisions which can only be taken by the regular organs of the League of Nations. ~ (Throughout the day conversations took place in Paris between the British, French and American representatives. The representatives of the three -Governments exchanged views in a confidential and friendly spirit respecting the present situation of the disarmament conference and what remains to be done to assure success.

COMMISSION ADJOURNS.

Received 1.30 p.m. to-day. GENEVA, June 8. The general commission adjourned until July 1. The Japanese announced acceptance of the prohibition of aerial bombing, subject to the abolition of aircraft carriers, also to an agreement preventing civil aircraft being used for military purposes in war time. The British and American delegates objected to Japan introducing .side issues, which should he examined -by the permanent commission.