SECURITY PACT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, 20 June 1925, Page 5

SECURITY PACT.

GERMAN PROPOSALS.

THE FRENCH REPLY.

ire si Association—Electric Telegraph—Copyrigh* LONDON, Friday.

A White; Paper has been issued, containing the French reply to the German security pact proposals. •'!•- The paper welcomes the German step, but poirts cut that if is important to know the views of the German Government on certain questions, because a preliminary agreement concerning them appears to be necessary as a basis of future negotiations. An agreement, is only conceivable if Germany enters the League of Nations.

Moreover, the search for guarantees for security cannot involve any modifications of the Peace Treaties.

The -reply, referring to the suggested pact between the Powers interested in the Rhine, says that those States must clearly include Belgium, which was not mentioned in reference to the suggested arbitration treaty, guaranteeing the peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflict. It says that, as between France and Germany, such atreaty ought to apply to all disputes, and not leave room for coercive, action, unless specially provided for, similar to the Belgo-German treaty. It is also necessary that the ebsorvanec of these treaties be assured by the guarantee of the Powers participating in the Rhineland pact, so as to bring the guarantees into immediate operation if one party refused to submit a dispute to arbitration, or to carry, out an arbitral award, and resorted to hostile measures.

The reply adds that Frarico will welcome the co-operation of the United States, and concludes: “France will be glad to receive: a German reply: which will permit the opening of negotiations with the object of concluding agreements constituting a new and effective guarantee off peace.” Mr Baldwin, in the House of Commons, announced that the debate on the Pact would be taken on the Foreign Office ’ estimates next Wednesday.— Reuter.

SATISFACTION IN GERMANY.

BERLIN, Friday.

It is not likely that any decision regarding the Pact Note will be come •to for some weeks. • ■

Official''circles are reserved, but regard it .as generally most satisfactory, though Dr. Strcseman is known td entertain certain objections to the .terms of the proviso; which lays down that Germany must become, a member of the League of Nations before the Pact comes into force. —Reuter.

BRITAIN’S POSITION DIFFERENT.

LONDON, Friday.

The: French reply to Germany makes it clear that guaranteeing by the signatories of the Versailles’ Treaty, beyond those affecting the Rhineland, will' be optional. . J V/:RubfiShed correspondence shows -that Mr Chamberlain on May 28'th stressed the British Government’s position as being different from that of the Continental Power's. In view of the position of the British Empire, with 'its world-wide responsibilities, the. Government was bound to rtegard participation in treaties outside the Rhineland from a different point of view from that of the other Powers, whose interests lay mainly or exclusively, in Europe. M. Briand (France), on. June 4th, replied: “We realise that the fact that the constituent elements of the British Empire are scattered throughout the world leads His Majesty’s Government to limit its undertakings on the European continent to those they consider essential, even when the interests are distinguishable from those of Continental Powers.” M. Briand further said: “We fully understand that the refusal to bind themselves in advance except concerning the Rhineland, means only that the British Government, without disinter-’ esting themselves in what might happen at other points,' merely reserve the liberty of an examination of the decision.”

-Air Chamberlain on June Bth informed M. Briand that the French Government was right in assuming that a. .Rhineland pact could not operate as a barrier to prevent France taking action in case of a violation between Germany and Poland, or between Germany and 'Czeeho-Slovakia.

No surprise has been expressed at the French reply.—Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.

REJECTION OF NOTE URGED. (Received Saturday,-10,55 a.m.) BERLIN, Friday. The Nationalist newspapers advocate the rejection of the French Note, and especially criticise France a claim to arbitrate in the event of a German Polish conflict, while the unconditional entry of Germany into the •League of Nations is strongly objected to, as it is stated that it is impossible for Germany to give the League tlie right to send troops across Germany against another nation. The Catholic,* organ, Germania, expresses the opinion that Gernmhy and France will agree to the principle.

The Vorwaerts considers that t.’.e French Reply has advanced* the discussion.

Stresemann’s organ, the Diezet, see: in the reply the possibility of negotia tions with France. —Reuter.