TERMS OF RESOLUTION

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 91, 18 April 1935, Page 7

TERMS OF RESOLUTION

THREE-POWER BACKING j SUBMISSION TO THE LEAGUE. [British Official Wireless.] RUGBY, April 16. It was decided at Geneva to-day at .a meeting between Sir John Simon, Baron Aloisi, and M. Laval that Britain and Italy should associate themselves with a resolution condemning any unilateral violation of treaties ro be moved by France at a special meeting of the League Council. The Three-Power Resolution, which was considered by the council that evening, declares: — Text of Resolution. ••(1; That scrupulous regard of aii treaty obligations is a fundamental principle of international life, and is essential tc the condition of the maintenance of peace. “(2) That it is an essential principle of the law of nations thtt no nation I has power to liberate itself from the engagements of a treaty, or to modify its stipulations except by the consent of tjie other contracting parties. That the promulgation of the military law of March 16, 1935, by the German Government conflicts with | those principles, “(4) That by this unilateral action the German Government confers upon itself no right. (5) That this unilateral action, by introducing a new disturbing element into the international situation, must necessarily appear to be a threat to European security. “(6) That considering, on the other hand, that the British Government and the French Government, with the approval of the Italian Government, communicated to the German Government .xs early as February 3, 1935, a plan for a general settlement to be freely negotiated for the organising of security in Europe, and for the general limitation of armaments in a system of equality of rights, while ensuring the active co-operation of Germany in the League of Nations. “(7) And that the unilateral action of Germany above referred to was not only inconsistent with this plan, but was taken at a time when negotiations were actually being pursued, the Council of the League of Nations declares : The Condemnation ”(a) That Germany has failed in the duty, which lies upon all members j of the international* community to respect undertakings which she couI tracted, and condemns any unilateral I repudiation of international obligaI tions‘■‘(b) To invite the Governments which took the initiative in the plan of February 3,193 b, or which gave their approval to it, to continue the negotiations so initiated and in particular to honourable conclusion, within the framework of the League of Nations, of agreements whic> *iay appear necessary to attain the object defined in this plan, due account being taken of the obligations of the Covenant with a view to assuring the maintenance of peace. “(c) considering that unilateral repudiation of international obligations may endanger the existence of the League of Nations as an organisation for the maintenance of peace and the promotion of security, the Council decides that such repudiation, without prejudice to the application of measures already contained in international agreements, calls into play all appropriate measures on the part of members of the League of Nations within the framework of the Covenant. “The Council requests that a Committee should propose for this purpose measures rendering the Covenant more effective in the organisation of collec- : tive security, and define in principle economic and financial measures whidh might be applied in the future to a State, whether a member of the League of Nations or not, endangering I the peax:e and repudiating its international obligations.” j This long resolution was supported I in turn bv M. Laval, Sir John Simon. I and Baron Aloisi, Foreign Ministers 'of France, Britain and Italy respecI lively. RESOLUTIONS REJECTED GERMAN PRESS COMMENT Received April 17. 11.50 p.m. BERLIN, April 17. The newspapers unanimously reject j i h- 1 Geneva resolutions, which are regarded as a challenge. “If the? League , G so arrogant as to claim for itself the role of an infallible judge over a i beaten Germany, then Germany will • find it most difficult to return to : Geneva,” says the Volkischcr BoeI bachter. “The time has passed when I a groat united nation will submit to 1 the arbitrary interpretation of inter • national treaties.” __