STRESA CONFERENCE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 15 April 1935, Page 5

STRESA CONFERENCE

Discussions Materially Reduce Tension in Europe POWERS THROWN TOGETHER GERMANY AND THE LEAGUE

(British Oilicial Wireleos.} Received 1.45 p.m. to-day. RUGBY, April 13

It is anticipated that the three Power Conference at Stresa will end to-day,, and that it will be found to have materially reduced the European tension which has been so marked during the last few' weeks. The announcement which Sir John Simon was able to make, to the effect that Germany was now willing to enter an Eastern pact of non-aggres-sion, is regarded by the British press as making a definite advance. One result to which the newspapers point is that the German announcement makes the recent negotiations of the Franco-Russian pact of mutual assistance compatible with an Eastern pact in w'hich Germany can participate on a basis of non-aggression and non-support to an aggressor. The three Powers agreed, without prejudice, to the attitude of the other Powers on the Council to support a resolution which, while recording the fact of Germany’s unilateral repudiation of the Versailles Treaty, w'ould establish a committee to study measures which can be taken in the event of future treaty infractions. The “News-Chronicle” diplomatic representative is of opinion that the Geneva discussions are likely to do nothing to impede Germany’s return to the League without loss of prestige, should she decide on such a policy. The “Times” special correspondent at Stresa considers that the Conference there may already be summed up as having wed the European Powers, which feel themselves menaced, to move a little more closely together, blit they have at the same time made clearer than ever before their desire to see Germany back in the League, and their intention to work for that w'hile any hope remains. The possibility of an air convention between the Locarno Powers was discussed yesterday and again today. It is expected that the possibilities of giving effect to such a scheme will be delegated to experts for detailed consideration.

DANUBIAN CONFERENCE The main feature of the earlier work in the ' conference was a decision to call a Danubian conference at Rome on May 20 to deal primarily with the question of Austrian independence, says a “Sunday Times” correspondent at Stresa. The conference will be convened by Italy and the Powers invited will be Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Jugoslavia, and Germany and Poland as interested parties, France as a signatory of the Rome agreement and England and Switzerland as observers. It is understood the discussions will be divided into twe parts—the preservation of Austrian independence, which means guarantees of non-inter-ference by other Powers, and the conclusion of a series of non-aggression pacts among the Danubian countries.

It is understood it was decided to prepare a draft of a proposed eastern pact of non-aggression for submission to Germany, Russia and Poland.

It was decided that the question of the rearmament or Austria,' Hungary and Bulgaria be postponed for the later conference.

The Powers agreed to make representations to the League Council condemning the German breaches of the Versailles and proposing action to- prevent a repetition. Prance and Italy appear to be satisfied with Britain’s policy of moral support with no further commitments in Europe.

The conference lengthily discussed the form in which sanctions could be applied to a State unilaterally repudiating treaty obligations, says the diplomatic correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph” at Stresa. The Prench Government would have liked a more specific assurance from Britain that sanctions would be definitely applied in future.

Eventually the delegates agreed that the best course would be to recommend the League of Nations to appoint a committee to consider the whole question. Probably a resolution will be submitted to the council in two parts, the first condemning Germany’s breach of the Treaty of Versailles and the second dealing with the future.

INpPPENDENT AUSTRIA Signor Mussolini stressed the importance of having an independent Austria on the ground that if this brick in the wall was allowed to crumble others would drop. There was complete unanimity on this subject among the three Governments. The “Observer’s” Berlin correspondent says Germany is pleased with the sensation caused at Stresa by Herr Hitler’s pronouncement respecting the proposed eastern security pact. The British Ministers are highly praised for not allowing themselves to be drawn into a threatened united front against Germany. Ramsay MacDonald especially is given good marks for his fight for moderation. German newspaper headlines generally aver that the English standpoint won through, while one paper suggests the possibility of a larger conference to include Germany. Editorials express the opinion that England has been able to carry through her policy q; collective security 4igr<|inst the group system in Europe.

“The vital fact on which the fate of the conference turned was the reaching of an agreement about action at Geneva, says the Stresa correspondent of “The Times.” “France, supported by Italy, insisted that the three Powers must not only register before the League regret- for past infractions of the Versailles Treaty, but they

must also clearly decide on measures in the event of new breaches. This was now decided and justice could be done. The French claim that every door has been left open for Germany’s return to Geneva.

“Advance is also marked by Germany’s willingness to conclude her many-sided system of non-aggression pacts, even if any of the othei-s concluded pacts for mutual assistance among themselves. This is important, because Germany cannot further complain about the intended FrancoRussia pact.”