STRESA CONFERENCE

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 April 1935, Page 5

STRESA CONFERENCE

TREATY OBLIGATIONS POWERS AGREE. Press Association Electric TnlwiaDh—Copyright LONDON, Saturday. The diplomatic eorrespondeut of the “Daily Telegraph,” London, from Stresa, says the Three-Power Conference lengthily discussed the form in which sanctions could be applied to a State unilaterally repudiating treaty obligations. The French. Government would have liked a more specific assurance from Britain that sanctions would be definitely applied in future.

Eventually the delegations agreed that the best course would be to recommend the League Council to appoint a committee to consider the whole question. Probably a resolution will be submitted to the council in two parts; first, condemning Germany’s breach; and, secondly, dealing witji tho future. Signor Mussolini, Prime Minister of Italy, stressed the importance of having an independent Austria, on the ground that if this brick in the wall was allowed to crumble, others would drop. There was complete unanimity on this subject among the throe Governments.

AUSTRIA’S POSITION.

LONDON, Saturday

The Stresa correspondent of the “ Sunday Times,” London, says the main features of to-day’s work was the decision to call a Dominion conference on 20tli May to deal primarily with the question of Austrian independence. The conference will be convened by Italy, and the Powers invited will be Austria, Hungary, Czccho-Slovakia, Roumania, Yugo-Slavia, ns succession States; Germany anud Poland, as interested parties; France, as a signatory of the Rome agreement; and England and Switzerland, as observers.

It is understood the discussions were divided into two parts, first, that the preservation of Austrian independence means guarantees of non-interfer-ence by other Powers; and ,secondly, the conclusion of a series of nonaggression pacts among the Danubian countries.

It is understood it was decided to prepare a draft of the proposed Eastern pact of non-aggression for submission to Germany, Russia and Poland. The question of the rearmament of Austria, Hungary and Bulgaria was postponed for a later conference. The Powers agreed to make representation to the League Council condemning the German breach of the Versailles Treaty, and proposing action to prevent a repetition. France and Italy appear satsisfied with Britain's policy of moral support, with no further commitments in Europe. SATISFACTION EXPRESSED. (Received Monday, 11.50 a.m.) STRESA, Sunday. Mr Ramsay MacDonald declares that the Conference has made a lasting contribution to European peace. M. Laval re-echoed his gratification, and M. Flandin paid a tribute to the valuable aid of England and Italy. The Italian spokesman considers thatthe Alpine frontier is now secure. The Pope regards the outcome of the Stresa talks with satisfaction. GERMANY PLEASED. LONDON, Sunday. The “Observer’s” Berlin correspondent says Germany is pleased with the sensation caused at Stresa by Herr Hitler’s pronouncement respecting eastern security. The British ministers are highly praised for not allowing themselves to be drawn into the threatened united front against Germany. Mr MacDonald especially gets good marks for his fight for moderation. The headlines generally are that the English standpoint won through while one paper suggests the possibility of a larger conference to include Germany. Editorials express the opinion that England lias been able to carry through her policy of collective security against the group system of Europe.