PEACE PACT

Southland Times, Issue 20522, 26 June 1928, Page 7

PEACE PACT

TERMS DEFINED SUBSTANCE IN TWO MAIN ARTICLES RECOURSE TO WAR CONDEMNED (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, June 24. Mr Kellogg’s new Note dealing with the terms of the peace pact has been delivered at Downing Street, from where it will be transmitted to Australia and New Zealand. The text will probably be issued on Sunday.

The text has been addressed to 14 nations, including Japan, Poland, Czechoslovakia and other Locarno signatories, the British dominions and India. It consists of two main articles, firstly, solemnly condemning recourse to war for the solution of international controversies and renouncing it as an instrument of national policy; secondly, agreeing to the solution of all disputes of whatsoever character by pacific means.

The text is preceded by a preamble, the first three clauses of which have been revised, and give express recognition of the principle that if a State resorts to war in violation of a treaty, the other signatories are released from the obligations of the treaty to that State. The revised clauses read: Firstly, signatories are deeply sensible of their solemn duty to promote the welfare of mankind; secondly, they are persuaded that the time has come when a frank renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy should be made so that existing peaceful, friendly relations may be perpetuated; thirdly, they are convinced that all changes in relations with one another should only be sought by pacific means, and be the result of a peaceful and orderly process, and any signatory which may seek to promote its national interests by resort to war should be denied the benefits of the treaty.—Australian Press Association— United Service.

COMMENT ON NEW NOTE. TACT AND GOOD SENSE. (Rec. 8.45 p.m.) London, June 25. Sir Frederick Pollock, Judge of the Admiralty Court of Cinque Ports, commenting on Mr Kellogg’s Note says that M. Briand would like to define the necessary reservations of self-defence whereas Mr. Kellogg would like to leave them to be implied. He asked whether Mr Kellogg has reflected that implied exceptions may turn out to be wider than expressed ones. The Daily Telegraph expresses the opinion that Mr Kellogg has shown much tact and good sense in the new Note. It would be observed that Mr Kellogg made no reference to Sir Austen Chamberlain’s observations respecting regions of special vital interest to the British Empire. Mr Kellogg’s silence could only be interpreted to mean that he recognized the facts as clearly as we did.—Australian Press Association. SATISFACTION IN FRANCE. (Rec. 8.45 p.m.) London, June 25. The Times’ Paris correspondent says that Mr Kellogg’s Note has been hailed with satisfaction, especially the clause releasing signatories in the event of aggression and enabling the bringing into the League Covenant of all agreements against the aggressor. It is regretted that the clause is placed in the preamble instead of being embodied in the pact. The laiter is preferable because it would prevent any possible misunderstanding.—Times Cables.