GROUND CLEARED

Wairarapa Age, 15 April 1935, Page 5

GROUND CLEARED

POWERS’ VIEWS AT STRESA PATH TO PEACE. GERMANY READY TO HELP. . RUGBY, April 12. Further sessions of the ThreePower Conference at Stresa were held to-day. When the delegates met, they were in possession of the views of the British Government on the European situation, which had been developed by the Prime Minister at yesterday’s meeting, and of the attitude of Russia, Poland, and Czechoslovakia towards the policy advanced in the AngloFrench declaration of London, as disclosed to Sir John Simon and Mr. Anthony Eden, in their recent visits to- foreign capitals. The Conference had also been fully informed of the reason which prompted the French Government to make 1 heir appeal to the League of Nations against Germany’s violation of the Versailles Treaty. The ground was thus cleared for a more detailed examination to-day of the prospects of further progress being made along the lines indicated in the declaration of February 3. In this connection the situation created by the re-armament declaration of Germany on March 16 came under consideration, and the general attitude of the Conference Powers towards Germany was considered. Sir John Simon announced that, following yesterday’s meeting, he had been in communication with Berlin; and had received an assurance that the German Government was now prepared to be a party to the Eastern Pact of non-aggiession, even if some other parties might conclude among themselves a separate and supplementary Pact of Mutual Assistance. The only condition laid down by Germany is that the two Pacts should be entirely separate instruments, and should not be included in one document. Press reports state that this step is considered as a most Important advance by the three delegations.—(British Official Wireless.)

HITLER’S POLICY.

REGARDING EASTERN PACT. NON-AGGRESSION OBLIGATIONS . BERLIN, April 13. Herr Hitler defined his policy regarding an Eastern pact in a communique, stating firstly, that during the Berlin conversations the Chancellor informed the British delegates that Germany regretted her inability to join a pact in the suggested form but was ready to approve of a collective security pact consisting of mutual and general nonaggression obligations, arbitration and consultation in the event of a disturbance of the peace. Germany, while emphasising the difficulty of establishing the identity of an aggressor was ready to join general'measures for the non-support of an aggressor. Germany was unable to accept a proposal which more or less made automatic military assistance obligatory, as it menaced rather than maintained peace. Germany still adheres to that view. Thirdly, the Government soon after the assumption of power expressed a wish for nonaggression pacts with its neighbours, making an offer regardless of existing bilateral and multilateral pacts. Germany, not possessing aggressive intentions and feeling itself unaffected by genuine defensive agreements adhered to that view. Moreover, as Germany cannot join a pact including military obligations it is impossible that such arrangements, if they lie outside the pact, can prevent her concluding nonaggression pacts on the above mentioned basis. This is the spirit of Germany’s reply to Sir John Simon’s questions as to whether Germany is ready to conclude an eastern pact on the basis laid down. If other states already made or contemplated mutual special arrangements Germany desires to add that the obligations of military assistance supplementing non-aggression pacts or pacts ruling out violence are contradictory. If one believes in obligations which are voluntarily assumed there is no need for such arrangements. If, however, there is doubt regarding intentions to live up to the obligations, such doubts would also be justified regarding the fulfilment of supplementary military obligations. If war can arise from nonaggression pacts it is equally possible that aggression will arise from defence and mutual assistance pacts. Nevertheless, the Government is of opinion that it is much further from nonaggression pacts to a breach of the peace than from defensive military obligations to offensive obligations. Germany does not see in the development of European military alliances either the element of collective peaceful development or the guarantee of peace. Therefore; she is unable to sign pacts containing such obligations whether for all or any signatories. BRITAIN’S EFFORTS. FIGHT FOB MODEBATION. - LARGER CONFERENCE LIKELY. (Received Sunday, 7.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 14. The "Observer’s” Berlin correspondent says Germany is pleased with the sensation caused at Stresa by Herr Hit‘ler’s pronouncement respecting eastern security. The British ministers are highly praised for not allowing themselves to be drawn into the threatened united front against Germany. Mr. MacDonald especially gets good marks for his fight for moderation.- The headlines generally are 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 of Europe. TALK ON SANCTIONS. REFERENCE TO LEAGUE LIKELY. (Received Bunday, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 13. The "Daily Telegraph's” diplomatic

correspondent at Stresa says the con4erenee lengthily discussed the form in which the sanctions could be applied to a state unilaterally repudiating treaty obligations. 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 Council to appoint a committee to consider the whole question. Probably a resolution will be submitted to the coqpcil in two parts, the first condemning Germany’s breach, 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. AUSTRIAN INDEPENDENCE. CONFERENCE OF POWERS MOOTED. (Received Sunday, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, April 13. It is understood that a conference of states interested in safeguarding Austrian independence will be held at Rome on May 20 and will be attended by France, Italy, Austria, Germany, Poland, Hungary and the Little Entente, with the addition of a British observer. PROPOSED TEXTS. MANY POINTS DISCUSSED. (Received Sunday, 6.35 p.m.) STBESA, April 13. A communique announced that delegates would meet at 10 a.m. to-morrow to draw up the agreed, texts regarding various points. Cordiality of collaboration existed throughout the conference. To-day’s meetings ended at 7.30 pm. (and covered all points of the London protocol and other matters.