IF WAR CAME.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 June 1925, Page 7

IF WAR CAME.

POSITION OF BRITAIN. INTERPRETATION OF PACT. MUST FIGHT FOR FRANCE. By Telegraph.— Press Assn. — Copyright. Received June 20, 5.5 p.m, London, June 20. The proposed security pact continues to evoke the strongest criticism. The Daily Express prints special cables from Melbourne, Christchurch, Ottawa and Capetown, generally opposing the commitment. Editorially the paper argues that the pact is really unilateral because it compels Britain to fight on the side of France whatever the justice or occasion of the conflict. If Germany invades the demilitarised zone, Britain ipso facto is at war with Germany, but it does not follow that Britain is at war with France if she crosses the zone in an assault on Germany. The diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says there is talk of appointing a committee of jurists for the purpose of defining what constitutes an aggressor aggressing. The Daily Chronicle, discussing, the proposed arbitration treaties by Germany with France and Belgium, quotes the section of the French Note dealing with this question. Both treaties are to apply to all disputes, and if one of the parties, refusing to submit the dispute to arbitration or to carry out an arbitral award, resorts to hostile measures, the guarantee under which Britain is bound to act would come into immediate operation. The Chronicle comments that it appears from the dispatch of the SecretrffTy for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Austen Chamberlain) on May 28 that the British Government does not conceive the guarantee as obliging Britain to resort to force anywhere except in the guaranteed Rhineland area. Ibut in practice, if we had to take action, it would be almost impossible bo thus limit the sphere. The Chronicle concludes by viewing the scheme as a whole with profound scepticism. BRITAIN MUST BE ON GUARD. FRENCH RIGHT TO ATTACK. Received June 21, 11.5 p.m. London, June : 21. : Mr. J. L. Garvin, writing in the Observer commenting on the proposed pact, says Germany apparently recognises the permanent cession of Alsace-Lorraine to France. .This ought to mean the end of a thousand years’ feud. So far nothing cOtild be more satisfactory, but in some uncertain words France seems to reserve the right to attack Germany in Polish interests without consulting Britain or the League. Upon this point searching criticism will Olsten. The possibilities of an arbitrary attack will have to be eliminated before any final pact can be signed. Neither by pact nor protocol will Britain run any risk of being involved in war against her own will and judgment.