SIGNING THE PACT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 11 August 1928, Page 7

SIGNING THE PACT

THE PARIS GATHERING INTIMATION TO GERMANS RHINELAND QUESTION NOT OPPORTUNE United Proßs Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright Australian Press Association

LONDON, 9th August. There is little fear in, official, circles that Mr Kellogg will fail to attend the Pact-signing. Indeed, -officials from Washington visited the Foreign Office to-day eh route - to Paris,' where they will assist Mr Kello'gg. High-placed personages similarly do not Ibelieve that Dr. Strcsemnnn is diplomatically ill. It is understood.the Wilhelmstrassc has been definitely told that the signing of the Pact js, not an opportune occasion for a talk on Rhineland evacuation, which is a better topic for Geneva’s tea tables. In any case Lord Cushendun would scarcely be able to take up ■ the subject with the same intimacy as Sir Austen Chamberlain. It is noteworthy that official Pact invitations issued to-day omitted Spain and other Powers not signatory to the Locarno Treaty. • Britain deposited her Pact Notes -at Geneva, with a. covering letter reaffirming the opinion that the Pact does , not conflict with League - obligations, and asking that the documents be circulated through League channels. Thus they are certain to crop up at the September Assembly.

NATURE OF CEREMONY NOT YET DECIDED

. - , VARIS, 30th August-., The’ Government has 'issued invitations to the Pact-signing on 27th August. The number was fixed in accordance with Mr Kellogg’s communication ,of 23rd June. Not until replies are received will the exact character of the ceremony in the, clock room 'of the Quai d’Orsuy be known.

,It is hoped that the fact that invitations have been despatched will put an end to a campaign intended to belittle the significance of the ceremony. The question of uninvited Powers who desire to sign rimnot bo‘ settled, until tlie invited Powers havp signed. The ceremony is expected to he little more than a solemn formality with congratulatory speeches. . LEAGUE SUPPORTS DELIGHTED

■' . GENEVA, 10th August: League supporters are .frankly delighted at Britain’s ..action whereby the Kellogg Treaty will come (before the Assembly.- - It is considered most likely that a resolution will be introduced recommending all. members to sign it.