BRITAIN DOES NOT LOOK ON PACT WITH ANY SUSPICION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17832, 28 April 1926, Page 15

BRITAIN DOES NOT LOOK ON PACT WITH ANY SUSPICION.

" Sydney Sun ” Cable. LONDON, April 26. "It would be a great mistake to regard the Russo-German Treaty suspiciously,” said Sir Austen Chamberlain, speaking at an Anglo-French funcitic>n. Britain was not jealous of the efforts of other . countries to improve their mutual relations. . Slic hoped they would strive like France and Britain to keep old friendships and build on them reconciliation with former enemies.

Sir Austen Chamberlain said: We are somewhat disturbed and agitated by . the diplomatic negotiations going on in other quarters, but we think it a great mistake to regard them jealously and suspiciously', provided they’ assure peace between parties and are not directed to forming hostile alliances and are not incompatible with the obligations which many of us, I hope all of us, soon will have under the League.

The Russo-German Treaty lias generally taken a back page owing to the Budget. There is little comment, t The “ Morning Post.” however, says it may’ well cause, perturbation in certain European circles and is likely to demonstrate the powerlessriess of the League as a check against war. Germany' hopes to become a member of the League and must therefore subscribe to the Covenant, Clauses 16 and 17 which provide that all members : are bound to support each other in cases oT aggression, whether by a member or non-member State. Yet Germany, by the neutrality clause in the new Treaty, has pledged herself in advance to take no action against Russia. Further, under the procedure, a unanimous vote of the Council is necessary before action be taken. Germany is now bound to veto any action against Russia. It is significant that this neutrality clause was included after the demonstration at Geneva of : the anxiety of certain members of the League to change the unanimity vote into a simple or two-thirds majoritv.