LEAGUE IS STRONGER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 19, 23 January 1935, Page 7

LEAGUE IS STRONGER

REVIEW BY THE TIMES CO-OPERATIVE ACTION BRITAIN’S IMMEDIATE AIM EAOIFCATION OF EUROPE. GERMANY’S ATTITUDE CRITICISED. I British Official Wireless. J Received Jan. 22, 6.10 p.m. RUGBY, Jan. 21. Commenting on the League’s session. The Times expresses the view that it has maintained the high standards of co-operative action recently set by the nations represented there, and that the position of the League has thus been strengthened. At all the League meetings there had been much informal discussion of current diplomatic business, and, of course, the recent conference in Rome and the coming conference in London were particular topics of interest. “The common objective of all diplomatic negotiations at the present time is, in the eyes of the British Government, pacification ol Europe,’ ’ the paper proceeds. “Everything that contributes to it will be welcomed; everything that challenges or delays it will be deplored. Discussions at Geneva will inevitably take bias from the absence of Germany, and Germany obstinately refused to take part in them until her status of equality had been measured in, terms of armaments. So

long as Germany remains outside,” adus th© Times, ‘‘ no collective system can be completed, and whatever is set up in its place is bound to have an appearance of being pointed againsc her.” The London Visit. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent at Geneva says that when M. Flandin, Premier of France, and M. Laval, Foreign Minister, visit London next week they will insist that legislation for German re-armament must be conditional on Germany’s adherence to both the Rome agreements and the Eastern Security Pact. In this attitude M. Laval is supported by the Little Entente—Turkey, Greece, Russia, and Italy. If Germany persists in declining to become a partner in Central European security, France will proceed with other plans including a separate agreement with Russia and CzechSlovakia, though this will remain open to German and Polish adhesion. Both Germany and Poland mistrust a multilateral engagement, The d’plomatic correspondent of the -JDaily Telegraph gathers that Poland is not tco pleased by the turn of events, but the Balkan Entente, headed by M. Tituleson (Rumania) is jubilant.

The pact signed by France and Italy at Rome earlier in the month consisted qC three main agreements with additional protocols. These agreements and protocols were regarded as the greatest move for general European peace eince the World War. They include a Franco-Italian agreement on colonial affairs; a general pact for the Danubian basin with a guarantee of Austria’s independence; and, tnirdly, a general consultative policy in the interests of European peace. The clause regarding the Danubian agreement states that it mu?t be signed by Italy, Germany, Hungary, ( vchoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and Austria A London cable stated that the Daily Mail’s Rome correspondent said the two Governments agreed to tegard German re-armament as illegal until « special agreement is reached on the matter between Germany a'Jd the Powers. The Rome correspondent of The Times pointed out that this was likely to render more problematical Geripany’s acceptance of the Danubian Tact.

JAPAN AND ARMAMENTS PEACE POLICY PROCLAIMED. TOKIO, Jan. 21. Mr. Hirola (Foreign Minister) in a speech in the Diet, said: “Our fundamental policy is to maintain peace and friendship and develop trade with foreign Powers. We are at present most concerned on the question of naval disarmament, about which our policy has been previously fully stated, viz, the abolition of aggressive weapons and a radical reduction in armaments removing the menace of and rendering attack impossible. Because the Washington Treaty docs not conform to this we have notified its termination. “Not only doc- Japan not intend to increase armament, but she looks forward to a new agreement in accordance with the principle of disarmament. The London talks having clarified the views of the three Powers, they have been adjourned to enable the delegates to consult their Governments. Meanwhile informal discussions continue. “Japan wishes to resume the negotiations as soon as possible for the establishing of a fair and reasonable agreement, based on non-menace and non-aggression. ’ ’

THE SESSION TERMINATES IRAQ QUESTION DEFERRED GENEVA. Jan. 21. The session of the Council has terminated, the Iraq frontier question being postponed till the May session, after Mr. A. Eden had appealed to the parties not to aggravate the situation during the negotiations between now and May. The question of the relief of Saar refugees was also postponed till May. M. Avenol points out that the League’s budget made no provision for such expenses, and even if the assembly votes credit it will not be available be tore January. 1936.