FRANCO-BELGIAN MILITARY CONVENTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18200, 26 February 1929, Page 9

FRANCO-BELGIAN MILITARY CONVENTION.

ALLEGED SECRET ARRANGEMENT. (Utitt.d Pr... Association-—By El.ctn. Talearaoh—-Gopyrirhi.) (Received February 24, 11.30 p.m.) AMSTERDAM, February 24. Dutch newspapers, Avithout comment, give prominence to Avhat the “Utrechtech Dagblad” claims to be authentic provisions of a secret Franco-Belgian military convention, concluded in 19 20, with interpretations placed on various articles by the Franco-Belgian general staffs in 1927. The “Dagblad” asserts that the convention provides that if France is in a state of war with Germany, or a country to Avhich Germany is allied, -whether on the Rhine frontier or elsewhere, Belgium immediately places all available troops at France’s disposal, France acting similarly if Belgium is in danger of war against Germany. Franco-Belgium will also mobilise instantaneously and spontaneously the instant of consulation, immediately any Power, assisted in anywise by Germany, mobilises. Franco-Belgium will also mobilise against Germany immediately the casus foederis is established, as defined in existing treaties, mobilisation entailing concentration. I Belgium undertakes to mobilise a minimum of 600,000, France supporting Belgium by a minimum of

1,200,000, both undertaking simultaneously a vigorous offensive, forcing Germany to fight both, south of a common front. The general staffs Avill consult at least yearly, regarding the convention, Avhich lasts 25 years, and if then not renounced, Avill continue for a similar period. Neither will be able to conclude a separate peace. Interpretations of the general staffs placed on the convention allegedly declare Belgium’s possible adversaries to be Germany and Holland; France’s —Germany, Italy, and perhaps Spain.