EUROPE SECURITY PACT

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12197, 23 July 1925, Page 5

EUROPE SECURITY PACT

GERMANY REPLIES TO ALLIES EFFICACY OF PLAN DOUBTED ELUCIDATION WANTED By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Reuter’s Telegram. (Received Julv 22, 11.15 p.m.) LONDON. July 21. The published text of the German Note regarding the Europe security pact confirms the forecast. It points out that the German suggestions do not represent a modification of the existing treaties, although that does not mean permanent exclusion from a' peaceful adaptation of the existing treaties to future changed conditions. Regarding the Treaty provisions concerning the military occupation, the Note states that a security pact would represent an important innovation, and would be bound to react on condition in the occupied territories. It questions the occupation generally. The Note remarks on the prominence the Allies assign to the necessity for Germany concluding treaties of arbitration with her neighbours who are Signatories to the Peace Treaty, and expresses doubts. It asks for further elucidation in this regard, in view of the possibility tha't the question of deciding whether a disturbance of peace exists, and the application of coercive measures, may be put in she Lands of one of the contracting parties. Germany is willing to link up with the League of Nations, but emphasises that until satisfaction is given concerning Article 16 of the League. Covenant Germany, unarmed, would be exposed to unlimited danger of being involved in armed conflicts with third countries. RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR ARMIES It was forecast last week that Germany would reply that she is ready to join the League of Nations on conditions, especially referring to Artiyle 16 of the League of Nations Covenant, respecting the right to march across Germany on the request of the council of the League j and also the evacuation of the occupied areas, as provided by the Treaty of Versailles. * Germany is greatly interested in the acceleration of the security question, hut says that the French Note has considerably expanded the basis of the German memorandum of July 9th. It introduces various new judicial questions} for example, as to sanctions, which require elucidation before a conference can he held. BRITAIN’S OBLIGATIONS The suggestion for a European security pact was made in the first place by Germany. Britain and France, after a ■ consultation, stated their views, and it is in reply to these that the German Note has been forwarded. The British Foreign Minister declared last month that Britain’s new obligations would be definitely limited to the frontier between Germany on one side and France and Belgium on the other, and the British guarantee of the frontier could not be invoked by a wrongdoer to shield him in his wrongdoing. The guarantee became effective only if, in defiance of treaties of arbitration and the obligations • th’e Covenant, the wrongdoer resorted to force. The guarantee .then becomes immediately effective. If one >of the parties refused to arbitrate, or to carry out an arbitral award, Britain’s guarantee could not be invoked to protect him, though if Tie did that, and no more, Britain retained her liberty subject to her obligations under the Covenant, to decide what action she should take. "A POLITE FUNERAL” PACT DEFINITELY REJECTED? “DAILY EXPRESS’S” CLAIM. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Received Julv 22, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, July 21. Commenting on the German Note tbe “Daily Express” says: “It is courteous in tone, but decisive. In effect, the Germans have given the Note a polite funeral. Their decision delivers the British Empire from a peril which would have ruptured its political and diplomatic unity. Our young men will not now be sent to die in some squabble in the ‘Danzig corridor.’ Mr Bonar Law declared: ‘We cannot afford to police Europe.’ Let us hope we shall hear no more of the pact. We can resume the task of developing the Empire without the. dread of discord.” ' The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: “British circles are reticent, but the first impression is favourable. Exception cannot he taken to the tone of the Note. It Teflects tactfulness and finesse, which are Latin rather than Teutonic.” FRANCE PLEASED In Paris the reply was favourably received at the Quai D’Orsay. So far as France is . concerned negotiations on the pact will certainly begin but it may be a fortnight before the reply can he framed. M. Briand, the Foreign Minister, is optimistic about future negotiations. Paris newspapers insist that the tone of the German Note is conciliatory.