TREATY OF MUTUAL GUARANTEES SPED BY LOCARNO DELEGATES

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2312, 3 December 1925, Page 7

TREATY OF MUTUAL GUARANTEES SPED BY LOCARNO DELEGATES

NEW SPIRIT OF WORLD CONCORD IS IMPRESSIVELY MANIFESTED CROWNING ACHIEVEMENT OF ENGLISH PEACE DIPLOMACY [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.}

LONDON, December 1. The Locarno Pact has been signed with almost whispered benedictions and felicitations. There is no denying the solemnity of the occasion; indeed there was a strange restraint <>n everyone, as if overawed by the momentous achievement. Even the glamour of the famous gilded room in the Foreign Office, alternately illuminated by the slcKl> December sun or the blaze or six HUSO Hood lights, under which the cinematographers worked, failed to thaw tho strict official atmosphere, ana there was the piquant fact that in the handsome vaulted coiling, studded with mythological characters and symbols, the figure of Mars looked down on the very spot where Sir Austen Chamberlain initiated tho epochmaking hour of peace. BUI it was a more circumstance of placing, just as was the fact that Saturn glowered over the dais upon which 200 niternational journalists sat with a battery of cinematographs and cameras on tho platform overhead. Language of Diplomacy. The delegates were seated at the blue baize table in tho same order as they sat at Locarno. There was only one speech in English; this was Mr. Baldwin’s at tho close of the ceremony. The rest were in French with the exception of the Germans,’ who both spoke in their high-pitched mother tongue, but all spoke as if in conversation across the table. The only touches of vigour wore supplied when M. Briand, speaking direct to Dr. Luther and Dr. Stroaomann, pictured lh c spectre of France a sacrifices, and breathed the fervent hope that Locarno would render a repetition impossible, and Dr. Strcsemann’s equally lofty assent to the new spirit of World concord. This drew a muffled chorus of "bravos’* from tho press data. Graceful Tribute. Sir Austen Chamberlain was obviously delighted at Dr. Strccemann’s graceful reference to his and Lady Chamberlain's influence at Locarno. Sir Austen looked round beaminglysmiled. and bowed to his wife. M. Briand was the orator of the morning, but it was not the usual impassioned Briand. Everybody seemed determined that the new page in history should not be made strident in tone. In fact, Signor Scialoja and M. Bones Inaudibly whispered their few phrases of rekind'od hope, all beaming, and the congratulatons- came to an end when there was an orgy of hand-shaking among the members of tho diplomatic corps, who fringed the historic table, near the foot of which were the Dominion representatives, including Sir Joseph Cook and Sir James Allen. Whole Cabinet Present. Mr. Baldwin remarked that he and Sir Austen Chamberlain both signed to show the importance with which the Ministry 'regarded ifho documtenl. Further proof of this was the presence of every member of tho Cabinet, with Earl Balfour, sitting nearby among the ladies, nodding his approval. At the close there was .an eager desire to see the famous pact with Its scroll of rich blue ribbon, held in place by seven huge rod seals, with th c signatures of the seven- nations opposite according to their alnnhabet-lcol order in the French vocabulary. Thus Allemagne ’(Germany) came first, Boland and Czecho-Slovakia signing only the supp'ementary documents with France, while Sir Austen Chamberlain presented Dr. Luther with the four-power declaration on Article 16. NEW-FOUND FRIEND. MOTHERS MAT LOVE CHILDREN WITH SECURITY. (Received Wednesday. 7 p.m.) LONDON. December 1. Sir Austen Chamberlain, at the opening ceremony, regretted Signor Mussolini’s absence and said the Locarno Pact, while strengthening former friendships, had been the basis of reconciliation with Germany: "a reconciliation which we are convinced Will assure to us henceforth yet another friend. We age fully aware there is much still to be done in order that our hopes may be realised. Wo shall meet many difficulties, prejudices and suspicions, but Britain is un shakeably resolved to pursue the work of pacification in the same spirit which inspired our negotiations at Locarno. Having put- our hand to the plough. We shall not look hack. Britain will do everything In her power to ensure a successful Issue to our labours to bury the hatreds and suspicions of the past and to spare future generations a repetition of the misfortunes and sufferings of which the world to-day has been the witness and victim.” Grown of Political Career. M’. Briand said: "I consider my association with Locarno the most important and moving act of my already long political life. I received a touching letter from an unknown peasant woman, ‘Allow the mother of a family to congratualte vou. At last I shall be able to look at my children without apprehension and love them with some security.’ However, it is not the first time the nations have assembled, seeking security agreements. Former agreements were but flimsy safeguards against war, bristling with difficulties and anxieties, like gloomy clouds charged with electricity, which carry thunder in their womb. The Locarno treaty, just consecrated by our signatures, embodies an encouraging, innovation, inasmuch as from it emanates another spirit, namely, solidarity replacing distrust and suspicion. X do not hone to render war impossible by

an accumulation of mutual ass. stance and human solidarity." Patriots Without Prejudices. “Opposite hie sit the German delegates. That docs not mean that 1 do not remain a good Frenchman, as tiioy remain good Germans, but in the light .of these treaties, we arc Europeans only. By our signatures, we declare for peace, blotting out national antagonisms and banish.ng unpleasant memories. The Locarno treaty will bo of small value, frail, disappointing, tinless it constitutes an European family within (he League of Nations.. To-day’s treaty is worth while if it means that massacres of the flower of the nations' youth is ended, preventing women’s brows from being overcast by fresli > gloom, stopping, "flic devastating ravishment of countrysides and the mutilation of men. Our nations, during centuries, have often been in conflict on moody battlefields, showing equal heroism Now we must collaborate in a common labour of peace, discovering in this phase of human activity opportunities of emulation no less glorious.

"As spokesman for the immense majority of my compatriots, I solemnly declare it is in this spirit I sign thc treaties, from which wo are determined to extract everything that can provide against war and in favour of peace. I sec therein tho beginning of a magnificent work for tho renewal of Europe, creating a general union wherein all nations will bo invited to participate according to individual qualifications, ensuring a definitive peace, and permitting thc consecration of their intelligence and genius to a steady advance on the road of progress. I ardently hope the Locarno agreements will fulfil all these promises and that germs therein may develop, bringing peace.” Better Than Written P.ffiui.

Dr. Stresemann drew attention to tho Informal nature of tho Locarno conference, and emphasised th 0 fact that Britain’s centuries of political experience had proved that unwritten laws wore better than stiff formulae. Ho paid tribute to .Sir Austen Chamberlain’s tact, amiability and determination to achieve a successful issue. The treaty did not represent the ,juridical construction of political ideas, but the basis of thc great £utur e development of the nations, professing a determination that they wore prepared to satisfy humanity’s longing for peace and concord. If tho Part were merely a bundle of paragraphs, it would Eiot survive. It could only become a reality if determination existed to create new conditions in Europe. While remaining good Frenchmen, Englishmen and Gormans, each must secondly be a citizen of Europe. "Wo have a right to speak of thc European idea. This Europe of ours made tho largest sacrifices during tho World War. Tho community of fate binds us together. If we go under, we shall go under together We can rise only by working together. "Therefore, we cannot afford to live In discord and emnity, but must join hands. Maybe, later generations will have -reason to think gratefully of today as the beginning of a now epoch.” Notable Absentee. Signor Scialoja explained that Signor Mussolini was absent because he was personally directing several Ministerial departments. Ho regretted his inability to attend, because ho personally had inltia’lod the documents at Locarno, emphasising his belief that tho treaties wore destined to be the basis of new relations between the European States, inspired by a broad spirit of conciliation and mutual confidence. Italy was proud to participate in the great work of peace and give her disinterested guarantee, with the sole object of opening an era of fraternity between thc nations. Although Italy had no immediate interests, slip gladly signed, realising the foundations were being laid of a great collective work for thc continuity of European civilisation, M. Vandcrvcldo (Belgium), said: “May a new ora be dated from to-day in which the nations which suffered from war’s scourge shall work ’together in mutual confidence and prepare by tha disarmament lof their hearts, for disarmament of their hands.”

For centuries Belgium had been thc battle-ground for rival ambitions. “She wished now to become a link in the harmonious chain of nations. M. Bones said: “Treaties of themselves do not possess miraculous nowers. It, will only be what the signatories make of them. Czechoslovakia will be proud to collaborate.” M. Skryynski (Poland) expressed the hope that th e agreements signed to-day would live in the spirit and in the letter, also that tho "great guardian minds who presided at their inception will be able to watch over their futur 0 development. We render homage to Britain’s nobility, loyalty and honesty. She will be remembered ns the powerful artisan of a great work which future generations will bless.” After the signing, Sir Austen Chamberlain handed Dr. Luther a Note regarding Article sixteen of tho League Convenant. Concert of Europe. At the beginning of his speech, Dr. Luther expressed the sympathy of all the nations represented, at Queen Alexandra’s loss to tho British Empire and to the Royal Family. All welcomed whole-heartedly the King’s conviction that the Locarno Pact ■would be the work of pacification and reconciliation as the formation of real friendship between the nations now represented, and he assured His JTejesty that it was a call to peace that the peoples so CrgehUy needed as the basis 'of .recovery. Dr. Luther earnestly . hoped that Sir Austen Chamberlain’s wishes would be ful-

filled, more especially as regards the relations between Germany and the other nations represented. All peoples must unite and relegate prejudices and mistrust to thc past, and thus open the way to future development in which all must collaborate. "The tact that districts of my fatherland have still to suffer the consequences of the war must also be ended within a measurable period, likewise the feelings of mistrust, which we desire mutually to renounce. Even irtbre important than the treaty’s contents, which denote now world relationships, there must be unity of purpose to work peacefully together. Germany’gladly once more identifies herself With this work in harmony with her previous attitude and her own Initiative, hoping that it will result in the co-operation of all the peoples hero assembled.” HISTORIC OCCASION FILMED. THE KING’S MESSAGE. LONDON, December 1. A large crowd, flanked by a terv of photographers, \gathered in Downing Street to witness thc arrival of tho delegates to sign in the golden reception room at the Foreign Oilier the treaty of mutual guarantee, winch is the official File- of the Locarno Fact. There war a rush when thc Germans arrived and Some raisin'? of hats, but no other demonstration. The diplomatic representative of the signatory Powers, thc British Ambassadors to Paris, Berlin find Brussels, tho members of the Cabinet, and the High Commissioners for the Dominions were accorded seats at tho ceremopy, which was cinematographod. The signing of tho historic pact began at 11.25 and was completed at 11.38. Besides tho Treaty of Locarno, signatures wore also affixed to the .arbitration treat'os and conventions which were initial'cd at Locarno. Punctually at 11 o’clock an official clapped hands, the arc lights were turned on and the camera began to whirl. Mr. Chamberlain read in French a message from tho King, regretting that his sad loss prevented him from celebrating the occasion as he could have wished to do, but expressing it as his “dearest hope that groat work of appeasement, and reconciliatiot would provide th e foundation tor sincere friendship among the several nations.” The Kin? entertained tho Locarno delegates at tea at Buckingham Palace. Previously, he knighted Sir Austen Chamberlain, invested him with the Garter and bestowed thc Grand Cross on Lady Chamberlain. A film of the signing of th o Pact was shown to the guests at Sir Aus len Chamberlain.’s dinner party. MOURNING FOR PEACEMAKER’S QUEEN. SIGNATORIES USE SPECIAL PENS (Received Wednesday, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON December 1. The signatories used special pens which they will keep as mementoes. Sir Austen Chamberlain’s was in the form of a gold quill, the gift from the British delegates to Locarno. Everybody showered congratulations on his knighthood. The delegates lunched a.s the guests of Lady Chamberlain and later Sir Austen Chamberlain presented them at the Palace to the King whose welcome message was read by the Foreign Secretary at the signing ceremony. Though couched in the warmest phrases, it contained a sad touch of personal loss, which partly explained the restrained note of tho proceedings. It was a peace tinged with mourning, for the Peacemaker’s Queen. It was a wonderfully well-ordered ceremony, with none of the little lapses of Versailles.

DOMINIONS’ PARTICIPATION,

GERMANS GET GREAT RECEPTION.

(Received Wednesday. 8.10 p.m.) LONDON. December 1.

Sir Joseph Cook, lu referring with pride to his participation in tho ceremony of signing the Locarno treaties, said although Australia had not signed tho Pact, Britain’s signature was a guarantee on behalf of the whole Empire that every Dominion and every colony under the British flag was eager to participate in the promotion of a permanent European peace, which would necessarily react to the promotion of tho interests of the Dominions ami colonies. Sir James Allen said tho event was the beg'lining of a now cm of peace in Europe, in which Now Zealand was glad io participate f; ven in the humble capacity of spectator. To-day’s ex porloneo was tho most unique during his tenure of office.

After tho Loan ruo ceremonies, the respective delegations drove off in flag-decked cars through a human avenue to Whitehall. All were heartily cheered, and the most cordial reception was given to the Germans, who raised their silk hats in acknowledgment. AIR.' COATES’ HOPES. CHRISTCHURCH. Last Night. In speaking at the dinner of the Canterbury Industrial association, the Prime Minister said the signing of tho treaty of mutual guarantee should bring to all the greatest happiness. They found the nations of Europe, those which hud been so lately at war with one another, guaranteeing one another’s peace. It would tend to bring solidity to. tho world and it was particularly pleasing to notice that th 0 loading hand in bringing this about was that of an Englishman. Sir Austen Chamberlain. He trusted that tho pact, would bring peace to Europe and that armaments could be reduced, thus paving the way to world peace.