PROPOSED PACT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 162, 12 June 1925, Page 5

PROPOSED PACT

WILL BE FULLY DISCUSSED. PRIME MINISTER’S STATEMENT. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, June 10. In the House of Commons, in replying to questions, Mr 11. McNeill, tln-dcr-Secretary of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Allies would order the evacuation of the Cologne zone as soon as Germany carried out the military requirements. Mr Baldwin emphasised the fact that no security pact had yet been signed, and it would not be concluded _ until the House had been enabled fully to discuss the position, which was that the Anglo-French Governments, after considering the German proposals, were completely agreed on certain basic principles for a pact between the Allies interested in the llhinland. and Germany, on a footing of equality. It was expected that Belgium and Italy would adhere to the pact. The Premier confirmed the statement that the contemplated settlement was strictly bi-lateral. It was proposed to obtain French sanction and communicate the text to Parliament immediately a reply had been sent to Berlin.—A. and N.Z. cable.

DOMINIONS’ OPPOSITION.

■WILL RESERVE FREEDOM OF ACTION.

LONDON, Juno 10. The Daily Express, in commenting on Mr Mackenzie King’s statement in the Canadian House of Commons that Canada will not be a party to the Franco-British pact, says: “What Canada says to-day the other Dominions will say to-morrow. South Africa, Australia and New Zealand are as solidly opposed to participation as Canada. Public opinion in the Dominion is so strong that no Government will consent to give a written undertaking to intervene in Europe in the event of something happening in future, the nature of which none can foresee. If it gave such a pledge the Dominion Government would fail; therefore the British Government must choose between a pact with France and the solidarity of the Empire. “If Mr Chamberlain signs, it will bind Britain, not the Empire. Actually there is no immediate crisis, but if Britain is unwise enough to plunge into these new commitments, the Dominions will simply look on in silence and will reserve complete freedom of action, but the Empire will have developed a 'quality menacing its essential unity ns the .Mother Country would be pledged to go one way and tbc Dominions will have reserved liberty to go another. “Mr Amery (Colonial Secretary) must be aware of the serious difficulties that confronted Downing Street, Australia and Canada in maintaining a united Imperial front in regard to foreign affairs, both at Geneva and Washington. The question of submitting migration to Australia to the League of Nations is a small issue compared with those raised by the pact. “Ministerial intentions are wellmeaning, but they are looking in the wrong direction, gazing over much at Europe, and too little at the Empire. “The pact is fatal, because it puts the lives of our sons in pawn and shatters the solidarity of the Empire.”— A. and N.Z. cable.

PERTINENT QUESTIONS. LONDON, June 11. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says: “Surprise is expressed in Dominion circles at the inclination of Britain to abandon her former tradition of refusing to enter into any war commitments before the event. Surprise is also expressed that the Dominions should merely have been kept informed since the end of March of what the British Government was doing and that an agreement should have been sought with foreign Governments before it was definitely ascertained how far the Dominion Governments were prepared to go. Finally, the question is asked, and that forcibly : ‘ln the event of international trouble or danger, would Britain give jriority over'lier fighting resources to ler European partners or to the Dominions?’ ” —A. and N.Z. cable. MR CHAMBERLAIN’S SUGGESTION. COMMENT SHOULD BE RESERVED.

GENEVA, June 10,

In regard to the French semi-official statement on the Anglo-French agreement, Mr Austen Chamberlain suggests that comment on the supposed contents of the Note to Germany be reserved pending publication. He emphasises that in an exchange of views with the French Government His Majesty’s Government followed the course indicated in the declaration of the British representation to the League Council and Mr Chamberlain’s own statement in the House of Commons on Marcli 24.

M. Briand has left Geneva for Paris.—A. and N.Z. cable.

COMMENT IN PARIS

Received June 12, 10.45 a.m. PARIS, June 11. The newspapers emphasise London’s insistence on the bi-lateral character of the proposed security pact. The Echo do Paris, for example, declares: “London wishes to make no difference between the absurd hypothesis of a French attack on Germany and. a possible one of a German attack on France. There will be no agreements between the Anglo-French military staffs, and if Germany attacks France and Britain comes to the aid of the latter, everything must be improvised similarly to 1914.” Reuter. ITALY WILL NOT PARTICIPATE. Received June 12, 9.10 a.m. ROME, Juno ]]. According to the Me.ssngero, Italy will not participate in the security pact because the Brenner (Alpine) frontier is not included. TUc paper hints that Signor Mussolini will negotiate direct with Germany.—A. and N.Z. cable.