EUROPEAN PACTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21853, 16 July 1934, Page 10

EUROPEAN PACTS

PROPOSAL BY FRANCE WHERE BRITAIN STANDS IMPORTANT PROVISOS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY. July 13 In tho course of a debate opened by the Liberal leader, Sir Herbert Samuel, when the House of Commons went into Committee of Supply on the Foreign Office vote to-day, Sir Herbert asked for a statement from tho Government in regard to disarmament and the Government's policy on air defence. He saic\ the need for parity was recognised fully, and if there was to bo disarmament it must be general. Parity in the air was defined as heing equality in air armaments with tho strongest Power within striking distance. The oidy two strong Powers within striking distance were France and Germany. In regard to tho former, no one anticipated any immediate danger requiring the British Air Force to be raised to equality of strength with the French at once, without waiting for the result of tho disarmament conference. Opposition to Alliances With respect to Germany no one would assort that tho present British Air Foi'co was not more than equal in strength to Germany's. An increase in armaments would add to tho heavy burden of the taxpayers, and Sir Herbert urged the Government to redouble its efforts to secure an international agreement. The people of Britain had a strong antipathy to anything in tho nature of alliances with any European Powers. They had reached the conclusion . that when all alternatives were eliminated it would bo necessary to strengthen the collective system through the League of Nations. He felt convinced that the British public would not endorse obligations which might, result in their being obliged to send military or naval forces to take part in what might seem a purely local issue in tho Balkans or Central or South America which tho League could not solve. Elaborate French Scheme The Foroign Minister, Sir John Simon, said the main subject which the French Foreign Minister, M. Barthou, had wished to discuss was the possible creation of a pact of mutual assistance which would embrace a number of countries in the eastern parts of Europe. This would involve, first, a pact between France, Russia, the Baltic States, Poland, Czecho-Slovakia and Germany, the pact following the analogy of tho Locarno Treaty. In addition, M. Barthou had described a condition which would in a certain way connect Russia with Locarno.

If this were pursued, it would take the form of a guarantee, on the part of Russia to France on the one hand, and to Germany on the other, in the event of conditions arising which would bring the original Locarno Treaty into operation.

Also specifically there would be an assurance offered by France in respect to the boundaries of Russia, and also those of Germany on the latter's eastern side. It was the bare bones of no doubt was an ambitious and elaborate scheme. No New Obligations Possible The first point on which it was necessary to be clear was that no British Government would lend any countenance, encouragement or moral support to a new arrangement between States in Europe which would be of a selective character in the sense of building up one combination as against another. Quite a different situation arose, however, when what was proposed was of a general reciprocal character. Was Russia prepared to offer the same guarantee to Germany as she had offered to France? France was prepared to offer similar guarantees to Germany to those she had offered to Russia. The objection on the scoro that what was contemplated was not in the true sense a mutual guarantee could be dismissed. A second point which had been made clear from the beginning, and which has been acknowledged and willingly accepted by the French, was that whatever encouragement Britain might be prepared to offer to this new pact she could not undertake any new obligations. Russia and Germany There was a third thing involved. If Russia was going to become a party to this new arrangement in Eastern Europe, said Sir John, it was absolutely essential that she should come within the League of Nations. That was the I view taken by the French Government, lit was the view, he believed, taken by the Russian Government, and he had made it entirely plain to M. Barthou that it was the view taken by the British Government. As a practical thing, Germany must be a member of *the new combination if it came about. " I am happy to be able to tell the country that, as the result of a conversation which took place between the British Government's representatives and the French Government on Monday and Tuesday," continued Sir John, " the French Government has agreed with the British Government in holding that view, and has authorised me to make that communication as being the communication of its view to the German movement. This," said Sir John, amid cheers, " I have already done." They must not treat this scheme as more than a very hopeful suggestion, but it was a very encouraging sign. Italy Agrees With Britain In regard to Italy, tho Foreign Secretary said he had just received a communication from Signor Mussolini in the following terms:—" The attitude of Italy as a signatory to the Pact of Locarno is similar to that of tho United Kingdom. On the clear understanding that the Eastern Pact of mutual guarantee does not imply any fresh engagement on her part, Italy regards with sympathy the proposals which were made on tho basis of absolute reciprocity between all the countries concerned. " This is particularly the caso when such proposals offer a fresh possibility in the field of limitation or reduction of armaments, and as regards implicit recognition of the equality of rights." Sir John's speech met with a cordial reception. Sir Austen Chamberlain, in commending the scheme, said he had always hoped that such mutual pacts would be mad,e between nations.