LOCARNO TREATY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21641, 6 November 1933, Page 9

LOCARNO TREATY

instrument for peace STRONG BRITISH SUPPORT British Wireless RUGBY, N<?v. 3 The Foreign Under-Secretary, Captain Anthony Eden, referred to the European situation in the course of a speech in the Skipton (Yorkshire) byelection campaign. He said it was not surprising that Germany's withdrawal from the Disarmament Conference and the League of Nations had caused some concern and a measure of uneasiness in Europe, but there was no occasion for scare-mongering. Captain Eden proceeded to defend the League against certain criticisms of the Locarno agreement, which he described as one of the most effective instruments for the peace of Western Europe. The main feature of that settlement was the treaty of mutual guarantee. This was not an alliance of Britain and France against Germany —far from it. It was an inclusive agreement to which Germany, Belgium, France, Britain and Italy were all parties. By this treaty of mutual guarantee, the signatory Powers severally and collectively guaranteed the territorial "status quo," resulting from the frontiers between Germany and Belgium and Germany and France, also the inviolability of those frontiers and the demilitarisation of the Rhineland.

Sacredness of Britain's Word The Treaty of Locarnq, said Captain Eden, contained no provision under which any of the parties could withdraw from it. Some critics had suggested that if such a course were possible, Britain would be less likely to be involved in any European war. The very opposite was the truth. " We shall not avoid another war by saying that in no circumstances will we go to the aid of a Power unjustly attacked. Britain is still a great Power, and has the responsibilities of a great Power. If we fear to discharge those responsibilities we shall invite the disaster which will follow," said Captain Eden. " A policy of isolation to-day is a policy of folly. With the development of air power England has ceased to be an island. Even if we would wish to go back upon our word we cannot, but, of course, there is no question of our doing so." Effects of Aggression The treaty was interwoven with the machinery of the League, continued the speaker. With one exception decisions to be made under it must be'made by the Council of the League. The Council could make no decision except by a unanimous vote. Since Britain was a permanent member of the Council, it was clear that no decision could be made without British assent. The only exception to this governing condition was in the event of a flagrant violation of the undertaking not to go to war, or violation of the demilitarisation of the Rliineland zone by one of the parties. Britain would be bound to go immediately to the help of the injured party, if satisfied that the violation constituted an unprovoked act of aggression and that immediate action was necessary. However, Britain would be the sole judge as to whether this obligation became applicable.