NEW PACT SIGNED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22100, 4 May 1935, Page 13

NEW PACT SIGNED

FRANCE ANT) RUSSIA MAINTENANCE OF PEACE MUTUAL UNDERTAKINGS REJOICINGS IN MOSCOW By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received May 3, 9.5 p.m.) LONDON, May 1 The pact between France and Russia has been signed. A communique says the pact is based on Articles X. and XVI. of the Covenant of the League of Nations. Article XVI. provides for mutual consultation in the event of danger of aggression and for mutual assistance in the event even of unprovoked aggression. The pact aims at assuring the efficacy of the provisions of the Covenant and the League Council's recommendations, and adds: " These obligations are designed to maintain European peace and are assumed in conformity with tho previous engagements of France and Russia. They do not exclude participation by mutual consent in a regional agreement, the conclusion of which remains desirable."

A message from Moscow states that the signing of the pact was celebrated thero by joyous demonstrations. People danced in the streets for. tho first time since the revolution of 1917. The Soviet Minister, M. Potemkin, says the undertaking is not aimed at any country. On the contrary Russia considers that tho ever-increasing number of countries attached to peace should undertake similar obligations. The French Foreign Minister, M. Laval, will go to Moscow on May 9.