TREATY OF LOCARNO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 April 1937, Page 6

TREATY OF LOCARNO

BELGIUM RELEASED FROM OBLIGATIONS JOINT DECLARATION BY BRITAIN ANI) FRANCE TEXT OF COMMUNICATION [British Oilicial Wireless] (Received 26th April, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, 24th April. The joint declaration, the chief effect of which is to relieve Belgium from her obligations towards Britain and France resulting from the Treaty of Locarno, and the arrangements drawn up in London in March, was communicated by the British and French Ambassadors to the Belgian Foreign Minister at Brussels.

The text of the joint communication made to Brussels by the British and French Ambassadors to the Belgian Foreign Minister is as follows: -fhe Governments of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland and the French Republic have not tailed during the last few months to give their lull attention to the desire of tne Belgian Government to have the international rights and obligations of Belgium clarified in certain respects where this is rendered necessary by her geographical position and by the delays which may still occur before negotiations and the conclusion of a general act intended to replace the Treaty of Locarno. The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic, being anxious to give full expression to their sympathy with this desire of the Belgian Government, agreed to make the following declaration, namely: The said Governments had taken note of the views which the Belgian Government has itself expressed concerning the interests of Belgium, and more particularly, firstly the determination expressed publicly, and on more than one occasion by the Belgian Government — (a) To defend the frontiers of Belgium with all its forces against any aggression or invasion, and to prevent Belgian territory from being used for file purposes of aggression against another State as a passage or as a base for operations by land, by sea. or in the air. (b) To organise the defence ol Belgium in an efficient manner for this purpose. Secondly, renewed assurances of the fidelity of Belgium to the Covenant of the League of Nations and to the obligations whicn it involves for members, ol the League. In consequence, taking into account the determination and assurances, the Government of the United Kingdom and, the Government of the Republic declare they consider Belgium to be now released from all obligations towards them resulting from either the Treaty of Locarno or arrangements drawn up in London on 19th March, 1936, and that they maintain in respect of Belgium the undertaking of assistance which they entered into towards her under the above-men-tioned instruments. The Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of the Republic agree that the release of Belgiutn from her obligations in no way affects the existing undertakings between the United Kingdom and France.The following is a translation of the communication from the Belgium Foreign Minister to His Majesty’s Ambassador at Brussels.

“The Royal Government has taken note with great satisfaction of the declaration communicated to it by the Government of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland. It thanks the Government warmly for this communication.”

A similar communication was addressed to the French Ambassador at Brussels.

PROJECTED WESTERN PACT

MR EDEN TO VISIT BRUSSELS (Received 26th April, 10.55 a.m.) RUGBY, 24th April. The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Eden, will fiy to Brussels to-morrow. During his official visit he will be received by King Leopold, and will meet leading Belgian statesmen. It is anticipated that the informal conversations that will take place during the visit will include a discussion on the nature of negotiations for a projected western pact, particularly in relation to their bearing on the international status of Belgium.