LOCARNO TREATY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 29 April 1937, Page 8

LOCARNO TREATY

RELEASED FROM OBLIGATIONS ASSURANCE TO BELGIUM [British Official Wireless] (Received 29th April, 10.10 a.m.) RUGBY, 28th April. Questioned in the House of Commons on the negotiations preceding the recent joint note to the Belgian Government from the British and French Governments, the Foreign Secretary, Mr Anthony Eden, recalled the terms of the note, and proceeded: “The preparatory exchange of views between the signatories of the Treaty of Locarno, with a view to the negotiation of a new western European security pact, has shown that in any new treaty Eelgium would wish not to give guarantees to the other states, and the other four Governments concernechin the negotiations would also be prepared to agree that Belgium should not undertake to guarantee the other states. In the new treaty it was decided, in order to meet of the Belgian Government, to give effect to their wish to be released in advance from their remaining obligations under the Locarno Treaty and the arrangements of 19th March, 1936. I should like to add that the present communications in no way affect the obligations of any country but Belgium.”

Mr Eden said that staff conversations to facilitate the Franco-British guarantees to Belgium were not contemplated.