EUROPE SECURITY PACT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12169, 20 June 1925, Page 5

EUROPE SECURITY PACT

VIEWS OF FRANCE PUBLISHED GERMANY MUST ENTER LEAGUE PEACE TREATIES MUST STAND By Telegraph.— Assn.—Copyright. Renter's Tolejfrsm (Received June 19. 8.45 p.m.) LONDON, June 18. A White Paper has been issued containing the French reply to the German security pact proposals. The French Government says it welcomes the German step, but points out that it is important to know the views of the German Government on certain questions, because a preliminary agreement concerning them appears necessary as the basis of future negotiations. b ranee emphasises that an agreement is conceivable only if Germany enters tlie League of Nations. Moreover, the searen for guarantees for security cannot involve any modifications of the peace treaties. Referring to the suggested pact between the Powers interested in the Rhine. France says those States must dearly include Belgium, which is not mentioned.

In reference to the suggested arbitration treaty, guaranteeing the peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflicts, the French Government says that as between France and Germany such a treaty ought to apply to ail disputes, and not leave room for coer 4 - civ© action unless specially provided for, in a manner similar to the Belgo-Ger-man treaty. It is also necessary that the observance of these treaties should he assured by the guarantee of the Powers participating in the Rhineland pact, so as to bring the guarantees into immediate operation if oife party refused to submit a dispute to arbitration, or to carry out an arbitral award and resorted to hostile measures. France, the Note adds, will welcome the co-operation of the United States. France will be glad to receive a German reply which will permit of the opening of the negotiations with the object of concluding agreements constituting new and effective guarantees of peace. Mr Baldwin, in the House of Commons, announced that the debate on the security pact would be taken < n the Foreign Office estimates next Wednesday. LONDON PRESS CRITICAL “MORNING POST” ENTHUSIASTIC Australian .nrf M Z n nVv!p Umi.tinn (Received June 19, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 19. No surprise has been expressed at the text of the French reply, which fully confirms the Press forecasts. The ►aply meets with a- cautious and critical reception from the Press generally, but the ‘‘Morning Post,” in most unqualified terms, approves, and proceeds: “We hope the .Dominions will grasp the fact that the proposal, instead of involving the Empire in European entanglements, really relieves it from them, it is when Europe is restless that the Empire must be on its guard, but Elurope at peace needs little watching, and this pact is intended to give Europe peace.” The ‘Morning Post’ says that Mr Lloyd George, in' a dispatch to M. Briand at the time of the Cannes Conference, recalled how at the previous Imperial Conference, the Dominion statesmen were prepared to come to the aid of France if she again were attacked by Germany. “Surely, then, they cannot refuse to support an agreement to which Germany herself is a party.” The “Daily Telegraph” says: “Whether the terms of the reply can be regarded as completely satisfactory from the British point of view is not quite clear. The possibility of a misunderstanding over the question of Independent sanctions is not removed, nor is the operation of arbitration treaties brought so completely within the League’s sphere of action as had been hoped. The obligation to go to war without recourse.. to the League Would arise in certain circumstances.” “THIS IS A WAR PACT” The “Daily Express” hypothetically considers the case of a conflict between Poland and Germany. France would instantly claim the right to move her troops across Germany to assist Poland. In a flash, France and Germany would be at war. A combat between French and German units <n the western front would obviously mean the disappearance of a demilitarised zone. The German troops in the course of the struggle would certainly make such a movement westwards es would constitute a breach, of the Western Pact, whereupon Britain would he at war with Germany, whether she willed it or not. The editorial concludes: “This is an agreement to a war pact, to which the British nation and the Dominions would never agree.” v GERMAN^COMMENT * (•GENERALLY SATISFACTORY. ’ t Reuter's Telegram. (Received June 19, 8,45 p.m.) BERLIN; June 18. It is stated that it is not likely any decision regarding the French Note will be come to for some weeks. Official circles are reserved, but regard it as generally most satisfactory, though Dr. Stresemann is known to entertain certain objections to the terms of the proviso which lays down that Germany must become a member of the League of Nations before the pact comes into force.

EUROPEAN_ AFFAIRS ,

BRITAIN TOO PREOCCUPIED Renter's Teleirram CAPETOWN, June 16. Commenting on the security pact, jhe “Cape Times” says: “A word of warning may be given to the British commentators w-ho are apt to assume that the attitude of British sympathisers in the Dominions will be one of yutomatic acquiescence. “The thesis that it is of unquestionable interest to the Dominions to join the British Government! in such an agreement with France is the very opposite of the truth. “There is a very strong body of opinion in the Dominions which is convinced that the tendency ol the British Foreign Office to be intensely preoccupied with European affairs is a disastrous tendency from the point of view of the true welfare oj. the British Empire. It is ludicrous to say that the security of France is the main interest of the various communities of the Empire. “Mr Chamberlain should realise that fie opinion in South Africa, without intinction of race, is strongly against ®ny such commitment.”