THE FINAL DRAFT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19432, 17 October 1925, Page 7

THE FINAL DRAFT

INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION LOCARNO TREATY READY .. COMPREHENSIVE DOCDMEK. The Pact for the peace of Europe—an Indication of the great progress that arbitration is making in the settlement of international disputes—has reached its final stage. All the delegates seem to be pleased with the achievement and encomiums are bestowed on Mr. Austin Chamberlain, the British delegate, for his share in the negotiations. It was expected that the draft of the treaty would be initialled yesterday, Mr. Chamberlain’s 63rd birthday. Britain’s share In the pact has not yet been officially disclosed, but the indications are that she has escaped serious responsibility. By Telegraph—Per Frew Assn.—Copyright.

AGREEMENT TO BE SIGNED TO-DAY ALL PARTIES PLEASED. LONDON, Oct. 15. A Locarno message reports that full agreement has been reached and the treaty will be signed to-morrow. Benter’s Locarno correspondent says that all the delegations gave adherence to the Western Security Pact this morning. The question of the Eastern frontier and the German arbitration treaties with her Eastern neighbours have still to be settled, but it is considered unlikely to create trouble. Eor the first time since the Conference opened M. Srzynski and Dr. Benes, the Polish and Czecho-Slovakian Foreign Ministers, participated in it this morniDg \ Signor Mussolini is rushing to Locarno in a motor car from Milan in an effort to partciplate in the Conference before it closes. It is understood that altogether five documents will bo signed, namely, the Pact itself and four arbitration treaties—the Franco-German German-Poland, German-Czecho-Slovakia, and Belgo German. There will (also be two special declarations guaranteeing arbitration treaties between Germany and Czechoslovakia, and finally a declaration concerning Article XVI. of the covenant. A British communique states that the Conference, after adopting the text of the draft of the Security Pact, took up the question of arbitration treaties. They invited the representatives of Poland and Czechoslovakia to join the meeting and hear statements in regard to the work of the jurists on the draft treaties of arbititation between Germany and France on one part and Germany and Belgium on the other, the texts of which have been adopted by the delegates concerned. The representatives of Poland and Czecho-Slavakia would then give the Conference tan account of their own negotiations with representatives of the German Government in regard to drafting arbitration treaties between Germany and Poland on the one part and Germany and Czecho-Slovakia on the other.

AFTER DINNER SPEECHES MB CHAMBERLAIN CONGRATULATED. Received October 16, 11.5 p.m. LOCARNO, Oct. 15. Tt is expected that the five treaties will be initialled to-morrow, and signed in London in a fortnight’s time. The texts will be published, probably early next week. A special assembly of the League will be called after signature to admit Germany to tho League, probably in December. M. Benes said to-day: “At last the Versailles Treaty becomes a workable, living pact.” Mr A. Chamberlain added: “The relations between the European countries have been founded at Locarno on a basis of absolute equality, goodwill and mutual consideration, which will have immediate repercussion in international pacification.” After luncheon there was a general exodus to the Villa quarters of Signor Mussolini, who acknowledged the greetings of the crowd. Mr Chamberlain later formally called on Mussolini. It is noteworthy that after luncheon Herr Loth or thanked Mr Chamberlain for all he had done and clinked glasses with him. Mr Briand also congratulated Mr Chamberlain. THE EASTERN FRONTIER' OTHER DEBATEABLE MATTERS Received October 16, 11.5 p.m. LOCARNO, Oct. 16. The Polish, Cbecho-Slovakian and German jurists, assisted by the AngloFrench experts, reached an understanding on the Eastern arbitration treaty. Mr Chamberlain and M. Briand conferred the whole evening on the German proposals for the evacuation of the Rhineland and the demands regarding the Saar, which may slightly delay the initialling though they constitute no serious obstacle.

THE FINAL NEGOTIATIONS SOME OF THE ESSENTIAL POINTS Received October 16, 10.25 p.m LONDON, Oct. 16. Dr. Luther and Dr. Svresemann are apparently fighting at the eleventh Hour tor a written document regarding concessions. It is also understood the Germans refuse to accept the Poles’ demand for the application of the principle of arbitration to territorial question. Last night’s meeting between Mr Chamberlain, M. Briand, Dr. Luther, Dr. Stresemann and M. .Vanderveld lasted four hours.

The “Daily Telegraph’s’’ Locarno correspondent, presumably cabling before last night's meeting, said the questions on which the Germans received assuranc would be the subject of a further conference in London shortly. A diplomatic correspondent discloses that the western pact is without time limit and. any two signatories may denounce the pact upon giving lengthy notice. Two years is mentioned, but ihe League Council may decline to allow denunciation.

The “Morning Post’s’’ Locarno correspondent states that the final draft of the pact contains ten articles, the most impel tant of which is Article 2 in which France, .Belgium and Germany pledge themselves not to attack or invade the other’s territories. This, however, does not apply in two the first in the event of the above pledge being violated and the second in the event of Articles 42, 43 and 44 of the \ ersailles Treaty being violated. Article 42 prohibits the establishment of German fortifications within a neutralised area of thirty miles eastward of the Rhine. Forty-throe prohibits the concentration of troops or military manoeuvres in this area and 44 refers to paragraph 7, Article 16, of the League Covenant dealing with the in- • ivictual action of the nations when the council ’’’cannot prevent war. Articles 3 to 5 concern the procedure before the council of the League in case of hostilities and (or) the intervention of guaranteeing Powers. This intervention must be immediate in the event of aggression and is obligatory if the League Council declares there has been violation of Articles 42, 43 and 44 of the Versailles Treaty. Britain enters into Article 2 through the latter connection, though Britain is not specifically mentioned in Article 2.

The “Times” editorially states that the British commitments will be strictly limited and conditioned . when any crisis occurs, by recognition of the British Government that a case for intervention hhs arisen. The conference afforded further evidence that the case for arbitration is making real headway in Europe.