FOUR-POWER PACT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21976, 10 June 1933, Page 11

FOUR-POWER PACT

OUTLINE OF TERMS SIR JOHN SIMON’S DESPATCH (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) RUGBY, June 8. A despatch from Sir John Simon to the British Ambassador at Rome commenting on the aim and purpose of the Four-Power “.agreement of understanding and co-operation ” is included in a White Paper containing the text of that document issued to-night. The despatch states:—“ Throughout the negotiations we made it clear .that the proposed agreement should in no sense be regarded as a substitute for, or as set in to, the Covenant of the League. It is not a piece of rival or competing machinery, but is framed for the purpose of operating within the ambit of the Covenant, and "is intended to aid in the maintenance of the principles for which the League stands. The methods and procedures which may fall to be studied or adopted under the agreement are strictly in accordance with the spirit of the Covenant.” Sir John Simon also emphasises that the proposed agreement was never intended to invoke any attempt on the part of the four Powers, if not to impose their will on other States, at least to .establish themselves aa a kind of in Europe. Such a conception would he entirely foreign to the principles of the Covenant, which recognises the equal right of all States, just as in appropriate cases it requires their unanimity. “I have been at pains to explain the attitude of hia Majesty’s Government on this matter to the representatives of the other Powers, and particularly to Belgium, Poland, and the Little Entente,” he adds. “By the form which the proposed agreement has finally assumed I am confident that any such erroneous impression will be completely eradicated. In this connection I may refer in particular to the last paragraph of the preamble to the agreement, which specifically states that the four Powers are mindful of the rights of every State, which cannot be affected without the consent of the interested party. There/ can, therefore, be no possible doubt that the object of the agreement is to ensure over many years to come that France, Germany, Italy, and ourselves may agree in Europe upon the same policy of peace. That is an object which must be generally approved, and it is entirely consistent with the aim and the spirit of the League Covenant and with due respect for the rights of other Powers.” Sir John , Simon pointed out that the agreement, which contemplates quadrilateral examination in respect to methods of /procedure, is expressly stated to be “ without prepudice to decisions which can only be taken by the regular organs of . the League of Nations.”

GESTURE TO FRANCE RELEASE OF PRISONER. '< ROME, June 8. As a special gesture to France following the initialling of the pact Signor Mussolini has pardoned Professor Eydeux. ; ‘ One of the most remarkable espionage trials since the war resulted in Professor Charles Eydeux, head of the French Military Academy, being sentenced at Rome to two years’ imprisonment. The case was heard in February last. The prosecutor declared that Professor. Eydeux visited Italy almost yearly arid provided foreigners with valuable information about Italy’s war preparations. " GENERAL SATISFACTION ESSENCE OF PROJECT RETAINED. ROME, June 9. (Received June 9, at 5.5 p.m.) No achievement by Signor Mussolini has aroused more general satisfaction than the initialling of the Four-Power Pact. Despite the modifications the essential ideas of the original project have been maintained. Europe is assured of at least 10 years of peace.—Times Cable. RATIFICATION BY FRANCE A MAJORITY EXPECTED. PARIS, June 9. (Received June 9, at 5.5 p.m.) M. Daladier is unlikely to experience difficulty in securing a majority for tin ratification of the pact. Signor Mussolini’s speech was favourably received by all sections of the press.