BRITAIN AND FRANCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19325, 2 June 1925, Page 5

BRITAIN AND FRANCE

SECURITY PACT VIRTUALLY AGREED TO RHINE FRONTIER GUARANTEED BRITAIN NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE VISTULA The negotiations between Britain and France over what is known as the “security pact,’’ a defensive alliance against Germany, are abont concluded. Britain, whose “splendid isolation“ is her best defence, has given her word to France that Tommy Atkins will be alongside the Poilu if any German helmets are seen west of the Rhine frontier, but she is keeping as clear as possible of any embroilments on the effervescing Eastern frontier. As the cable says: “Britain would find it hard to convince the Dominions that the Empire has to be defended on the Vistula.” The French, however, seem to want, by way of a compromise, an open road to the East in order to help Poland in case of necessity, while Britain proposes a demilitarised buffer zone at Cologne.

PRACTICALLY AGREED ON BRITAIN GUARANTEES RHINE FRONTIER By Telegraph -Per Press Assn.—Copyright. PARIS, May 31. Hava’s diplomatic correspondent confirms that Britain and France have virtually agreed in regard to the principal points of the Note to Germany in reply to the German proposals for a security pact. It is thought that the remaining details will be settled in time to enable the Note to be sent to 3erlin within a fortnight.

Britain declares her readiness to use ill her strength to guarantee the integrity of the Rhine frontier. She refuses to pledge herself to military intervention in the event of Germany’s violating her eastern frontiers, but repeats her desire to faithfully fulfil her engagements under the peace treaties. Consequently in the event of conflict she will probably be brought to support diplomatically the claims of the State attacked.

Britain also admits that France should retain complete liberty of action as conferred on her by the League Covenant in coming to the defence of the integrity of the eastern frontiers. The military forces of France in this case will have to receive free passage through Germany.

FRANCE PLEASED RETORTED 30 YEARS’ agreement. Received Ju.ie 1. 5.45 p.m. LONDON, June 1. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent expresses the . pinion that Mr. Chamberlain’s memorandum had a most, gratifying reception in French Government circles. M. Briand, however, has set his heart upon a compromise whereby France will be allowed to help Poland by a free passage across the Rhine zone. The Allied cov-

tenant, however, ordains that the Council must record an unanimous vote before action is taken in an industrial [dispute, and another before military action is undertaken. Paris messages I indicate the general belief that Mr. Chamberlain has offered France a I thirty years’ guarantee on the German | Western frontier. The Morning Post’s Paris correspondent asserts that M. Briand, like M. Harriot. desires the inclusion of France’s Polish-Czechoslovakian treaty as to frontiers, but Britain states that it would be hard io convince the Dominions that the Empire has to be defended on the Vistula. A FRENCH SUGGESTION Received June 1. 8.45 p.m. PARIS, June 1. Le Temps suggests that the difficulty could be overcome by giving France the right to cross the demilitarised zone on the Rhine in order to go to the aid of her Eastern neighbours.

BRITAIN’S POSITION Received June 1. 8.45 p.m. LONDON, June 1. The Daily Chronicle’s Paris correspondent says that England will assume no military responsibility in the event of trouble on the Polish frontier, while England favours the creation of a Cologne area as a demilitarised buffer zone between Germany and France. She reserves entire liberty of action even in an Eastern European war.

GERMANY AGITATED Received June 1. 8.45 p.m. BERLIN. June 1. Agitation is rising in Germany over the Allies’ demand that the disarmament clauses be fulfilled as a preliminary to the evacuation of Cologne. The Deutsche Zeitung predicts a political crisis if President Hindenburg ratifies the disarmament Note.