LOCARNO PACT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 277, 27 October 1925, Page 7

LOCARNO PACT

GERMANY’S FUTURE, ALLIANCE WITH WESTERN POWERS. (By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received October 27, 9.5 a.m. LONDON, Oct-. 26. Hon. W. G. Ormsby-Gore speaking at Manchester said: ‘•The problem to he solved at Locarno was: Shall Germany regard her future as bound up with the Western powers or work with Russia for the destruction of Western civilisation? The significance of the Locarno pact is tremendous. It means that Germany is detached from Russia and is throwing in her lot with the Western peoples. The pact has also reinforced and strengthened- the League of Nations to an unexpected degree.”—A. and N.Z. cable.

BASIS FOR EUROPEAN PEACE. SPEECH BY DR STRESEMANN. LONDON, Oct 25. That the Locarno Pact must be accepted was the gist of a speech by Dr Stresemann at Karlsruhe, in which he emphasised that what had been accomplished at Locarno deserved the approval of every German believing in the regeneration of Germany. It was the only possible basis of a peaceful Europe. He added: “If Germany gives proof of her peaceful intentions by signing the Locarno Pact, then the other Powers must justify their faith with a practical demonstration of results that may bo expected from this new situation.”

Dr Stresemann specifically mentioned Cologne, clearly indicating, that evacuation was expected to precede the signing of the Locarno Pact. With the existence of the pact there was no logical reason for retaining a long military occupation in order to secure peace.—A. and N.Z. cable. GERMAN NATIONALISTS OPPOSITION TO TREATY? BERLIN, Oct. 25. The German National Party’s Reichstag members approved of the decision of their representatives in Cabinet, and Herr Schiele, Dr'Neuhaus and Dr von Schliemen, respectively Ministers of the Interior, National Economy and Finanoe have tendered their resignations in consequence of the party’s dissatisfaction with the Locarno decisions.

The resignation of three Nationalist members is regarded as such a slap in the face for Herr Luther and Dr Stresemann that both may resign. It is possible that the whole Cabinet will resign, but strenuous efforts are being tirade to avoid a complete collapse. It is suggested either that the vacancies may be filled by officials, or that Cabinet may be re-constructed by shifting the basis further left and relying on the 'Socialists’ friendly support. Socialists may even be included for the sole purpose of carrying out the Locarno policy. It is believed that one of these combinations will be arranged. The alternative would be a dissolution. —A. and N.Z. cable. NATIONALISTS’ ATTITUDE. WHY THEY OPPOSE AGREEMENT. Received October 27, 9.5 a.m. BERLIN, Oct. 26. It is noteworthy that only 60 of the 111 members of the National Party attended the meeting this evening. It is believed that the party voted against the Locarno agreement chiefly because they were dissatisfied with the Allies’ vague promises regarding amelioration of the regime in the Rhineland and the evacuation of the Cologne zone, concerning which it is complained that not a single written guarantee was given.—Reuter.

STRUGGLE IN GERMANY. STABILISATION OR REACTION. BERLIN, Oct. 26. The political struggle is now between the advocates of stabilisation and reaction, but news of the evacuation of Cologne might induce the Nationalists to change their minds. Apparently a general election is inevitable over the Locarno Pact. The Nationalist newspaper Deutsche Zeitung, 'already claims that the pact is dead. President Hindenburg’s position is also most delicate, as he lias given his approval of the Locarno settlement,

and the decision is now challenged by his own party.—A. and N.Z. cable. FRENCH CABINET CRISIS. RATIFICATION NOT AFFECTED. PARIS, Oct. .26. The Daily Mail’s Paris correspondent points out that any change in the Governments of France and Germany is unlikely to affect the ratification of the Locarno Pact. M. Painleve is hourly expected to hand to the President the Cabinet’s collective resignation. It is expected that the reconstructed Cabinet will contain several members ,of M. Herriot’s Ministry, whose support of the capital levy will soon produce a new crisis. The Daily Mail adds: “Soviet secret agents 'are carrying out intrigue in Paris and South European capitals to form a blopk against the security pact. They are offering France a bribe of repayment of 2* per cent of the prewar credits.”—A. and N.Z. cable.