ALL AGREE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1935, Page 5

ALL AGREE

STRESA TALKS

AUSTRIAN INDEPENDENCE

CONFERENCE TO BE HELD

PEACE TREATY BREACHES

LEAGUE ACTION ADVISED

By Telegraph-Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec, 7 p.m. London, April- 14. The main feature of to-day’s work at the Stresa conference was a decision to /Call a Danubian conference at Rome on May 20 to deal primarily with the question of Austrian independence, says a Sunday Times correspondent at Stresa. The conference will be convened by Italy and the Powers invited will be Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Rumania and Jugoslavia, and Germany and Poland as interested’ parties, France as a signatory of the Rome agreement and England and Switzerland as observers.

■ It is understood the discussions will be divided into two parts—the preservation of Austrian independence, which means guarantees of non-interference by other Powers, and the conclusion of a series of non-aggression pacts ' among ' the Danubian countries.

It is understood' it was decided to prepare a draft of a proposed eastern pact of non-aggression for submission to Germany, Russia and Poland. It was decided that the question of the rearmament of Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria be postponed for the later conference.

The Powers agreed to make representations to the League Council condemning the German breaches of the Versailles Treaty and proposing action to prevent a repetition. France and Italy appear to be satisfied with Britain’s policy of moral support Mth no further commitments in Europe. ’ Another message says France and Italy are preparing a draft of ‘ a pact guaranteeing Austria’s independence, which Herr Hitler has agreed to examine.

A Stresa communique announced that the delegates would meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow and draw Up the agreed texts regarding the various points and expressing the cordiality and collaboration that have existed throughout the To-day’s meetings ended at 7.30 p.m. It covered all points of the London protocol and other matters.

APPLICATION OF SANCTIONS. The conference lengthily discussed the form in which sanctions could be applied to a State unilaterally repudiating treaty obligations, says the diplomatic correspondent of the Daily Teelgraph at Stresa. The French Government would have liked a more specific assurance from Britain that sanctions would be definitely applied in future. Eventually the delegations agreed that the best course would be to recommend the League of Nations Council to appoint a committee to consider the whole question. Probably a resolution will be submitted to the Council in two parts, the first condemning Germany’s breach of the Treaty of Versailles and the second dealing with the future.

Signor Mussolini stressed the importance of having an independent Austria on the ground that if this brick in the wall was allowed to crumble others would drop. There was complete unanimity on this subject among the three Governments.'

The Observer’s Berlin correspondent says Germany; is pleased with the sensation caused at Stresa by Herr Hitler’s pronouncement respecting the proposed eastern security pact. The British Ministers are highly praised for not allowing themselves to be drawn into a threatened united; front against Germany. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald especially is given good marks for his fight for moderation.

German newspaper headlines generally aver that the English standpoint won through, while one paper suggests the possibility of a larger conference to include Germany. Editorials express the opinion that England has been able to carry through her policy of collective security against the group system in Europe.

“The vital fact on which the fate of the conference turned was the reaching of an agreement. about action at Geneva,” says the Stresa correspondent of the Times. “France, supported by Italy, insisted that the three Powers must not only register before the League regret for past infractions of the Versailles Treaty, but they must also clearly decide on measures in the event of new breaches. This was now decided and justice could be done. The French claim that every door has been left open for Germany’s return to Geneva. “Advance is also marked by Germany’s willingness to conclude her many-sided system of non-aggression pacts, even if any of the others concluded pacts for mutual assistance among themselves. This is important, because Germany cannot further complain about the intended Franco-Russian pact.”