WELL RECEIVED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20483, 8 December 1934, Page 1

WELL RECEIVED.

British Decision to Send Troops to Saar. TENSION RELAXED. British Official Wireless. (Received December 8, 11.30 a.m.) RUGBY, December 7. The decision to send an International Force to the Saar has been well received not only in Britain, but also throughout the world. Anxiety regarding possible disturbances in the Saar and the international repercussions, which might have followed, have been immediately relieved and the whole European atmosphere has been sensibly lightened. In France the initiative in this matter was taken by Britain and has been especially welcomed, for M. Laval made no effort to conceal his distaste for general action in the event of an emergency in-the Saar by France, and French opinion hardly anticipated such prompt and positive proof from Britain of the acceptance of collective responsibility in Western Europe. The decision has greatly increased at a critical moment the League’s prestige and authority. Meanwhile details of the organisation of the International Force are being worked out by the military experts in Geneva. The British troops can be at their stations in the Saar at less than a week’s notice and it is probable that the arrangements will provide for the force to take up its , duties shortly before Christmas. The prompt decision of the Italian Government to participate with Britain in this work has been welcomed in London and it is hoped that the contingents from other conveniently- j situated countries, particularly countries which were neutral during the war, will also be made available. “The Times” remarks: “The quiet but manifest concurrence of public opinion with the important decision of the British Government and the cheers which followed Sir John Simon’s announcement in the House of Commons show that the people of this country are perfectly ready to undertake reasonable international responsibilities within limited areas and under the general direction of the League. Public opinion may even be ahead of official opinion in the matter. The people seem to know instinctively that often in their long history British intervention has been decisive for peace, whereas abstention inevitably weakens British influence without ensuring ultimate immunity. The importance of the decision to send troops to the Saar is not that it is a new departure, but that it is a striking re-affirmation of the collective principle.”

It is understood that no nomination has yet been made as to the command of the International Force in the Saar, but if it is decided to have a supreme command it is assumed that it will be entrusted to a British officer. The convenience of such an arrangement, in view' of the fact that the Chairman of the Saar Governing Commission, to w'hich the force will be immediately responsible, is of British nationality, will be apparent, and it is also pointed out that the project for the despatch of the international force to the Saar originated with the British Government. It is now revealed that this method of ensuring the maintenance of order in the Saar has been under the consideration of the British Government since it became clear that the French would prefer to stand aside. Sir Eric Drummond, British Ambassadpr in Rome, visited Signor Mussolini and thanked him for Italy’s cooperation in the Saar plebiscite arrangements. Appreciation of Italy’s action has also been formally expressed to the Duce by Germany and France.