LABOUR URGES DISARMAMENT PLAN

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17698, 19 November 1925, Page 13

LABOUR URGES DISARMAMENT PLAN

WANTS CLAUSE INSERTED IN MOTION APPROVING LOCARNO PACT. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.— Copyright. IS eutor’s Telegrams. LONDON, November 17. The Labour Party has decided to move an amendment to Mr Chamberlain s simple motion in favour of ratifying the Locarno Treaty at tomorrow's debate in the House of Commons. The amendment says: " While agreeing with the ratification and expressing satisfaction at the impending entry of Germany into the League, and the improvement of * international relations evinced by the Locarno Treaty, the House is of opinion that- the real test of the Treaty depends on whether it is followed by disand regrets it does not contain a definite provision in .that respect.'’ The House is further invited to express the view that the Treaty should be followed by positive steps to secure the adhesion of Russia to the League and its participation in European agreements. The political correspondent of the " Daily Express ” reveals the significance of two of Labour's amendments tabled regarding the Locarno pact. Yesterday’s meeting of the Socialist Party was sharply divided on the merits of the pact. One section, including Mr G. Lansbury and Miss Wilkinson were uncompromisingly hostile to Mr MacDonald, and aimed at removing a leader who, they deemed, had succumbed to social influences. This section proposed an amendment roundly condemning the pact, though it was really less a protest against the Government than against Mr MacDonald’s acceptance of the pact. After a heated discussion Mr A. A. Ponsonby, on behalf of the majority, proposed to table the official amendment as reported, but the mutineers refused to withdraw, so conflicting resolutions appear on the order paper, one condemning and the other approving the pact. A Liberal amendment to the Locarno motion mentions the regret that the Pact was negotiated without securing the consultation and consent of the dominions. The amendment, however, is unlikely to be reached. BERLIN, November 17. Cabinet lias authorised Dr Stresexr.ann to draft Bills to give effect to the Locarno Treaties. The Bills will be submitted for the approval of the Federal Premiers on Thursday, and subsequently will be submitted to the Reichstag. Cabinet’s decision indicates that the Government and the President approve of the Locarno agreement and intend to sign on December l, which the Federal Premiers and the Reichstag will certainly sanction. The Government is Convinced that the Locarno Trfeatv signifies. the beginning of a new' political era in Europe. On the contrary, the newspapers do not enthuse over what they' term alleviations of the Rhineland. The Nationalist journals point out that the Allied Notes do not mention the regime in the Sarre region, the revision of the Rhineland agreement, and the restrictions on German civil aviation. LONDON, November 17. M. Briand, in a Note on behalf of the Allied Ambassadors, issued from the Foreign Office, declares that the Allied Governments, in recognition of Germany’s desire to conform with their demands, have resolved to introduce into occupation .all alleviations compatible with the Peace Treaty. Large measures of amnesty would be granted, and the number of troops of occupation considerably reduced. Measures would be taken to facilitate the full exercise of German administration in occupied territory. The Allies have decided to proceed with the evacuation of Cologne as speedily as possible. It is expected this will be carried out mostly by January 31 and entirely by February 20.