LOCARNO TREATY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19438, 26 October 1925, Page 7

LOCARNO TREATY

UNEXPECTED DEVELOPi MENT GERMAN NATIONALISTS RAISE OBJECTION not expected to RATIFICATION. Excitement has "been cat£d In Germany by the Nationalise members of the Cabinet refiing to ratify the Locarno Treaty It is expected, however, that 11s will not affect ratification by ae Government. “THE WALL OF EACE” FIRST TIME SINCE HE WAR NEW SPIRIT IN GERMANY LONJON. Oct. 23. Viscount Grey, in a peech at Swansea. referring to tbe Locarno Conference, emphasised the lew spirit manifested owing to Germany entering the comity of Europe on equal terms. In a few years Germanf must play at least as important a part in European affairs as before the war. ' iscount Grey declared that if war arose it would not be on the question of frontier or nationality, but on th.* great principles of arbitration f#r peaceful settlement. If Britain followed the American example of starding aside from European affairs it alone would suffice to wreck the pracc of Europe. The only prospects for Russian credit rested on Russia co-operat-ing in the policy of peace. He emphatically declared that the new treaties would prepare the way for a reduction of armaments by producing & sense of security. Mr Baldwin, speaking in Colchester, said that the will to peace had sprung up for the first time in Europe since the war. At the Locarno Conference solid foundations were built which would bear any superstructure. He believed that peaaw built up in Western Europe was an essential prelude to ultimate peace throughout Europe. The entry of Germany into the League of Nations would enormously enhance and strengthen its power.

UNRECONCILED NATIONALISTS. REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE PACT DR STRESEMAN’S GOOD OFFICES BERLIN, Oct. 23. The conclusion of the deliberations of the Foreign Committee of the Reichstag on the Locarno agreements revealed Cabinet unanimity, but the German Nationalists are in no way placated. Consequently they find themselves in opposition to their own Ministers. A step towards conciliation was taken by Dr. Stresemann. Addressing the committee, he said that the Western pact were merely the renunciation of aggressive wars. It did not interfere with the rights of self-determina-tion or any other peaceful developments. His statement was designed to remove the Nationalists’ objection that Article L of the Treaty contained the eternal renunciation of the territory which Germany had lost in the West. LONDON, Oct. 23. Berlin messages report that the Nationalists at a meeting of the Reichstag Foreign Relations Committee declared that the I.ocarno agreement failed to fulfil the German people’s aspirations. Its concessions feil far short of anticipations. In view of Germany’s sacrifices, as a party they could not accept the pact.

LIBERTY OF DOMINIONS OBLIGATIONS PURELY VOLUNTARY. Received October 25. 5.5 p.m. (Reuter). LONDON, Oct. 23. Mr Chamberlain received the High Commissioners of the Dominions in reference to the Locarno agreement. In the course of a statement to pressmen. Mr Chamberlain emphasised that the liberty of each Dominion was reserved. The treaty did not bind a Dominion unless it voluntarily undertook an obligation. He also stated that no question arose in regard to who should have mandate over territories already mandated. Germany was as eligible for a mandate as any other country.

GERMAN DISARMAMENT FEELING THE WAY. Received October 25, 5.5 p.m. (Router). LONDON, Oct. 24. The German Ambassador yesterday handed the Foreign Office a copy of a German Note to the Conference of Ambassadors. detailing German disarmament pending discussion by the ambas-

sadors. No date is fixed for commencement of the evacution of Cologne, but it is expected that arrangements for it will be made as a result of the Locarno negotiations.

DISSENSION IN GERMAN CABINET GOVERNMENT RATIFICATION Received October 25, 5.5 p.m. BERLIN. Oct. 24. It is anticipated that Ministers belonging to the German National Party

in the Cabinet will retire in conseqence of the governing board of the party carrying a resolution that the results of the Locarno negotiations are unacceptable. A Government majority for ratification of the treaties is fully expected, notwithstanding the defec-tion.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. THE NATIONALISTS’ DECISION EXCITEMENT IN GERMANY. Received Oct. 25, 11.5 p.m. BERLIN, Oct. 14. Though the Nationalist decision has caused considerable excitement, the final word rests with the decision of the German National Reichstag Party. Mean while President Hindenburg, Herr Luther and M. Stresemann have cancelled engagements, remaining in the capital to negotiate with the party loaders with the view of reaching a settlement.

DECAY OF BRITISH EMPIRE

RUSSIA SEES FIRST STEP MOSCOW, Oct. 23. The newspaper 44 Izvestia” in the course of a tirade against the Locarno agreement says: ‘‘lt leaves Britain the decisive voice on all questions, even where she appears under the pseudonym of Council of the League of Nations.” “Izvestia” adds: ‘‘The nonparticipation of India and the Dominions is most significant as marking a step in the decay of the Empire.”