BUILDING ON LOCARNO

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 30, 5 February 1935, Page 7

BUILDING ON LOCARNO

ANGLO-FRENCH AGREEMENT STRENGTHENING PEACE IN NERVOUS EUROPE AERIAL CONVENTION AGAINST SUDDEN ATTACK (British Official Wireless'). RUGBY, Feb. ‘J. The Anglo-French Ministerial conversations, which have been proceeding in London since Friday, concluded this evening. The important issues arising out of the talks were consi ere yesterday morning at a special meeting of Cabinet, an t e ton versations were resumed later the same day. It was near y mic night before that session of the talks ended, but a comp e e agreement on all essential matters had been reached when the the Anglo-French Ministers separated. The purpose of a further meeting held this afternoon was to give approval to the final form of the communique, which was later issued in the following terms. “The object of the meeting between the British and Ministers which has been taking place in London, was to promote the peace of the world by closer co-operation in the spirit of most friendly confidence, and to remove those tendencies which, unchecked, are calculated to lead to a race in armaments and to increase the dangers of war. “With this object in view the British and French Ministers proceeded to the examination of the general situation. They took note of the particularly important part played by the League of Nations in recent settlements of certain international problems, and welcomed the successful results as evidence of the conciliatory spirit of all Governments taking part in those settlements. They declare their determination to pursue both as regards the problems of their own countries and of the League, policies guided by the same methods of conciliation and co-operation. “With reference to the Franco-Italian agreements recently reached in Borne, the British Ministers, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, cordially welcomed the declaration by which the French and Italian Governments‘have asserted their intention to develop the traditional friendship which unites those two nations, and associated His Majesty’s Government with the intention of the French and Italian Governments to collaborate in the spirit of mutual trust in the maintenance of general peace. The British Ministers expressed the congratulations of His Majesty’s Government at the conclusion of the Rome agreement regarding Central Europe, and made it clear that as a consequence of the declarations made by His Majesty’s Government, in conjunction with the French and Italian Governments on February 17 and September 27 last, His Majesty’s Government consider themselves to be among the Power? which will, as provided in the Rome agreements, consult together, if the independence and integrity of Austria are menaced. , Appeal to Germany. 4 ’The British a net French Ministers hope that the encouraging progress thus achieved may now be continued by means of the direct and effective co-operation of Germany. They are agreed that neither Germany nor any other Power whose armaments have been defined by the Peace Treaties is entitled by unilateral action to modify these obligations. But they are further agreed that nothing would contribute more to a restoration of con fidence and the prospects of peace among nations than a general settlement freely negotiated between Germany and the other Powers. This general settlement would make provision for the organisation of security in Europe, particularly by means of the conclusion of pacts, freely negotiated between all the interested parties and ensuring mutual assistance in Eastern Europe and the system foreshadowed in Rome, a process verbal for Central Europe. Simultaneously and in conformity with the terms of declaration of December 11, 1932, regarding equality of rights in the system of security this settlement would establish agreements regarding armaments generally, which, in tl d case of Germany, would replace the provisions of part 5 of Treaty of Versailles at present limiting the arms and armed forces of Germany. It would also be part of a general settlement that Germany should resume her place in the League of Nations with a view to active membership. The French Government and the Government of the United Kingdom trust that the other Governments concerned may share these views. Aerial Aggression. •In the course of these meetings the British and French Ministers have been impressed by the special dangers to peace created by modern developments in the air, the misuse of which might lead to sudden aerial fhf^ S .‘. O b ) b T On ! eountr y. u P° n another, and have given consideration to . bht 7 Of a P rovision bein g made against these dangers bv recip 1 regional agreement between certain Powers. It is suggested that the r dert % k \ immediatei7 to ihc forces to whichever of them might be the victim of an unprovoked aerial aggression by one of the contracting parties P ernments 6 founT/m 7 en< ’ h Ministers ’ on beha ’f their respective Goi kind for Western F.™ ln ,- a ß rce ™ nt that mutual arrangement of this Sion JnA ♦ E pe WOuld g 0 taT t 0 op-rate as a deterrent to accresTo Reinforce Peace. Xor e 9 C ° nCern .\ d Bh ° U,d aPprCCia ' l ' by the two Governments Thp r einforce peace—the sole aim pursued Kingdom decl«e e TemVe 9 ive s T r ad^^r^^e 0 Jr 0 ' 6 /'! / United delay after having received re'pZ W,th ° Ut

MOST SATISFACTORY M. LAVAL BROADCASTS PARIS PAPERS PLEASED. LONDON, Feb. 3. The French Foreign Minister, M. Laval, broadcast the results of the conversations throughout France from London, after which he talked to newspapermen with the microphone switched on, enabling the French to listen in. He emphasised Anglo-French friendship and the unity and solidarity of the interests in which the discussions were carried on. He considered that after the Saar plebiscite and the Rome agreement the London conversations would mark an important date in diplomatic history. “M. Flandin and I myself wholeheartedly hope that the results will be cordially welcomed, especially by Germany, who, we trust, will respond to our pressing call. It is the hope of Britain and France to pursue and achieve methodically the organisation of European security. We have worked hard for peace/’ The proposed aerial pact has already been communicated to Germany, Italy, end Belgium.

The Paris newspapers generally acelanri the success of the discussions, ne temps characterises them as equalling m importance the Rome agreements They must not be interpreted as a Franco-British solution imposed on other natioqs, but a recommendation as to the methods most suitable to produce a general settlement. It is a great step towards the consolidation of peace. The Intransigeant declares that - everything will now be changed in ini ternational relations. Aviation is the - mistress of peace and can police the 1 world. lhe Joourna) des Debats laments the recognition of German re-armament as !. due to successful blackmailing, but coni siders that the air agreement is more r valuable than the Locarno Pact. • The Populaire says that the solution 1 is satisfactory if it can bo fully i realised. EUROPEAN PEACE ’I ' | A NEW STARTING POINT. i | I ;NO HOSTILITY TO GERMANY LONDON, Feb. 3. , I The Chronicle in a leader says that the Anglo-French suggestions are in-

genious and well considered, and should be a new starting point towards European peace. Germany should see there is no vestige of hostility or encirclement but an honourable means of facilitating her return to'thc comity of nations. The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent points out that the “aerial Locarno” proposal provides for Britain to guarantee anti-aggres-sion not inherent in the original treaty. It is emphasised that the projected pact is not a Franco-British fait accompli but a proposal submitted to Germany for consideration, which she is asked to join on terms of absolute equality. This should preclude any question of affront. Development will now proceed through diplomatic channels. The text of the Anglo-French agreement was handed to Signor Mussolini and Herr Hitler to-night. The Daily Telegraph’s Rome correspondent states that there is every reason to believe that Signor Mussolini will accept the proposals for an aerial Locarno as the basis of conversations between the British. French, German, and Belgian Governments. Germany is now speculating as to whether the question of the return of her colonies may be raised in connection with Herr Hitler’s demand for equality of rights. ADVANTAGES TO BRITAIN SIR JOHN SIMON'S REVIEW. GERMANY AS AN EQUAL. LONDON, Feb. 3. Sir John Simon, broadcasing, specially referred to the aerial security suggestion, and pointed out that while under Locarno Britain undertook a serious responsibility in certain events, in order to assist France, Germany, and Belgium, she did not receive corresponding assistance. The present plan for the first time provided Britain with an advantageous undertaking which did not impose serious additional responsibility, as, assuming that the parties were France. Germany. Belgium, and ourselves, we were only called on to participate in cases in which wc were already bound by Locarno, while our promise would be limited aerially to assisting the country which was aerially attacked, thus giving precision to the promise hitherto expressed in general terms. He added that Germany was being treated in this manner as she ought to be treated, on a level with everybody else. “We hope that other countries will think that the plan offers great possibilities for increasing security and promoting world peace.” Referring to Italy, Sir John Simon expressed the opinion that England and Italy were not sheltered by the Locarno roof, but were rather buttresses thereof exposed to the weather. He added: “Owing to the distance separating England from Italy, more than one regional agreement might be better. Although we nave not earned the analysis sufficiently far regarding this, when the matter is discussed we may equally find that a limited agreement, comprising Germany, Belgium, France and Britain, may be practicable, with Italy, France and Germany in another combination enabling in time the removal of haunt!i < fear from the hearts of men and women.” AIR STRENGTH GERMANY’S INCREASING FLEET a LONDON, Feb. 3. In terms of numbers of aircraft the strength of the Powers concerned in the proposed convention is approximately thus: Britain, 1450; France, 3000, of which only 1650 are first line machines; Italy, 1507; Belgiuuin, 310; Germany, .1100. The Daily Telegraph’s aviation editor says: “There is no reason to believe that the German total given above is not approximately accurate. It is the official French estimate, revealing the rapid increase in the past few months which is known to be continuing. The German total includes a considerable number of highly efficient training aircraft, which although potential fighters are not compared with

high-powered modern fighters. The French air service is at present less efficient than the British, but re-equip-ment is proceeding with vigour. CONSIDERING GERMANS CAUTIOUS Received Feb. 4, 11.5 p.m. BERLIN, Feb. -I. Officials refuse to give an opinion until to-morrow owing to time required to consider some of rhe many implications of the Anglo-French communique. BELGIAN ATTITUDE PROBABLE ACCEPTANCE Received Feb. 4, 11.5 p.in. BRUSSELS, Feb. 4. Cabinet will meet to-day to considei the London declaration. There arc in dications that Belgium will adhere tc the agreement guaranteeing her security, particularly in the form of an aerial pact. "DANGEROUS DELUSION ’’ BRITISH DISARMAMENT Received Feb. 4, 11.45 p.m. LONDON, Feb. 4. The Morning Post says: Wc havi dallied overlong with the dangerous de lusion of disarmament. Wc shall be able to look the other nations in the eyes when we combine with our friends to put an end to any lurking expectation that, we can be caught disarm©.l and unawares. ’’ | "SPLENDID ISOLATION" ADVOCACY BY EXPRESS liereived b’eb. 4, 7.1(1 p.mLONDON, Feb. 4. Amid thv chorus of general approval, lhe Daily Express, which advocates “splendid isolation,” opposes the aerial convention, which it declares ■.ill plunge Britain deeper into the European maelstrom. “Britain is now pledging herself in Europe as she was pledged before (he war, lhe only dilcrcnce being that I’ie commitment was ormerly secret, and now it. is open,” ays the Express. lhe Times, in a leader, says: “The agreement may be the most valuable contribution to European peace since Locarno as it boldly faces the twin problems of Germ in equality and French security. There is goodwill toward Germany in every paragraph.-”