FOUR POWER PACT

Southland Times, Issue 22038, 10 June 1933, Page 5

FOUR POWER PACT

AIM AND PURPOSE STATEMENT BY FOREIGN SECRETARY MAINTENANCE OF PEACE (British Official Wireless.) 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 Pact states that the “agreement of understanding and cooperation” is included in the 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 opposition 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. Methods and procedures which may be adopted under the agreement are strictly in accordance with the spirit of the Covenant.”

Sir John Simon also emphasizes 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 as a kind of directory in Europe. Such a conception would be entirely foreign to the principles of the Covenant, which recognizes the equal right of all the States just as in appropriate cases it requires their unanimity. “I have been at pains to explain the attitude of his Majesty’s Government in this matter to the representatives of the other Powers and particularly to Belgium, Poland and the Little Entente,” says Sir John Simon. “By the form which the proposed agreement has finally assumed I am confident 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 that over many years to come France, Germany, Italy and ourselves may agree in Europe upon the same policy of peace. That is the object which must be generally approved, and it is entirely consistent with the aim and spirit of the League Covenant and with due respect for the rights of other Powers.” Sir John Simon points out that the agreement, which contemplates a quadrilateral examination in respect to methods of procedure, is expressly stated to be without prejudice to decisions which can only be taken by the regular organs of the League of Nations. GENERAL SATISFACTION TEN YEARS’ PEACE ASSURED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 7 p.m.) Rome, June 9. No achievement by Signor Mussolini has aroused more general satisfaction than the initialling of the Four-Power Pact. Despite modifications the essential ideas of the original project have been maintained. Europe is assured at least ten years’ peace. M. Daladier is unlikely to experience difficulty in securing a majority for ratification of the pact. Signor Mussolini’s speech was favourably received by all sections of the French Press. ACT OF CLEMENCY FRENCH PROFESSOR PARDONED. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) 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 and provided foreigners with valuable information about Italy’s war preparations.