FOUR-POWER PACT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21506, 1 June 1933, Page 11

FOUR-POWER PACT

DOCUMENT READY AGREEMENT EXPECTED OUTLINE OF THE TEXT AMERICA'S PROPOSAL BAN ON AGGRESSION By Tclesrraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 31, 5.5 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, May 31 Tho Rome correspondent of tho Times states that well-informed persons say they consider the Four-Power Pact will be initialled to-morrow. lho British and French Ambassadors visftcd tho Italian Foreign Office in Rome and discussed minor modifications. A message from Prague says the permanent council of the Little Entente has accepted the French version of the prepared pact.

The Rome correspondent of the British United Press gives the text of the Four-Power Pact, which, he says, is awaiting signature. The high contracting parties agree that all questions among them shall be brought within the orbit of tho League of Nations to ensure an effective policy of collaboration for the maintenance of peace. Tho parties agree, in view of their eventurf! application, to examine Articles X., XVI., and XIX. of the Covenant of tho League dealing with treaty revision, etc., through the regular organs of the League. They accept the British plan as a basis for disarmament.

Germany rccoguiscs that she cannot reach equality except in stages in conformity with the Covenant. The parties agree to consult each other on all questions, especially dealing with tho economic restoration of Europe. A discussion of the proposed pact of non-aggression occupied most of yesterday's sitting of the General Commission of the Disarmament Confercnco at Geneva. Mr. Norman Davis (United States) speaking in accordance with President Roosevelt's message, said that if the conference wished to see a substantial measure of disarmament the United States would not be averse to the conclusion of a universal pact forbidding resort to force. Captain Anthony Eden (Britain) emphasised the importance of this declaration. He said the question could he further discussed on the second reading of the draft pact.