SAAR PROBLEM

Southland Times, Issue 22498, 7 December 1934, Page 7

SAAR PROBLEM

MAINTENANCE OF ORDER INTERNATIONAL FORCE SUGGESTED BRITAIN’S OFFER (British Official Wireless.) Rugby, December 5. An important decision on the part of the British Government was made known by Mr R. A. Eden at the League Council meeting at Geneva this evening when the report of the Saar Committee was under consideration. He announced that if the Council so decided, and provided both Germany and France assented, the British Government would provide a proportional contingent to the international force which would be sent into the Saar before the plebiscite to keep peace and good order in the territory. Mr Eden’s speech followed that of M. Laval, who said all France demanded was that order should be maintained. France would never' refuse to assume her responsibilities. The Saar problem was not and must not be purely a Franco-German problem. It was true France had some interests to defend in the Saar. These interests had been defended by her negotiators. What remained to be done now was to be sure order was maintained and liberty to vote ensured. That was why he asked the Council to assume its own responsibility towards the maintenance _of order. To assure the German nation that they had no arriepe pensee France would not herself participate in the organization of the international force. Mr Eden said the British Government had no greater desire than to promote friendly relations between the nations of the world, particularly between the powers of Western Europe. However great the goodwill of every State, the possibility of a certain amount of excitement and ebullition during the plebiscite could not be ignored. The Saar area had no regular armed force and was relying entirely on its own police. There was a plain duty which rested upon the Council for the maintenance of order. It was no doubt true there were forces available for use in any emergency not very far away, but that, in the opinion of the British Government, would not be the best way to deal with the situation. The right way was to see if it was possible now, with the authority of the Council and with the assent of France and Germany, to take steps which would prevent any possibility of such trouble arising. The way to do that would appear to be by means of an introduction into the Saar, on the responsibility of the Council as a whole, before the plebiscite took place of an international force which should not include troops of either of the parties concerned for the purpose of keeping order. Mr Eden said he desired to make the position of his Majesty’s Government perfectly clear. “If the Council of the, League decides as a result of the information laid before it that it is desirable for an international force to be stationed in the Saar for the purpose of maintaining order in connection with the forthcoming plebiscite, and if the United. Kingdom is invited to co-operate in this matter, then, provided other countries are prepared to make a contribution and on the condition that both France and Germany assented to this arrangement, we should also be prepared to supply a considerable proportion of such an international force,” said Mr Eden. Baron Aloisi (Italy) gave unqualified support to Mr Eden’s proposal. M. Litvinoff (Russia) and Dr Benes (Czechoslovakia) each stated that he had no authority from his government, but they were sure their governments would be entirely in accord with the proposal. It is understood Germany has already agreed to the proposal, which, as shown above, has the full concurrence of France. DECISION APPLAUDED GREAT DAY FOR LEAGUE. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 6.35 p.m.) London, December 5. The newspapers generally applaud the Saar decision. The Geneva correspondent of the Manchester Guardian says it was a great day in the history of the League and a great day for the reputation of England. Everywhere in the lobbies Mr Eden’s speech brought forth the remark that England was at last really in the League. Rarely has a proposal been so universally approved. The mere presence of British troops is likely to prevent trouble. The contingent does not involve expense to British taxpayers because the Saar defrays the difference in upkeep between the Saat and Britain. Mr Eden has been overwhelmed with congratulations. A message from Berlin says that the Government approves of Britain’s participation in an international police force in the Saar. '

A report from Paris says that the Quai d’Orsay expresses the opinion that the British decision is a most excellent thing and a striking example of European collaboration. COMMITTEE’S REPORT LEAGUE COUNCIL APPROVES. (United Press Assn—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 1.45 a.m.) Geneva, December 6. The League Council unanimously adopted the Saar Committee’s report embodying the Franco-German. agreement. Holland was asked to join in the international force in the Saar.