PEACE OF EUROPE

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXV, Issue 8903, 11 April 1936, Page 3

PEACE OF EUROPE

REPLY TO GERMAN MEMORANDUM

CONTENTIONS ANSWERED

FRENCH COUNTER-PROPOSALS

Australian and N.?. Cable. PARIS, April S. The French reply to Herr Hitler’s memorandum was comprised in a, communique, of 13 pages. It answers the German contentions, and also is a declaration containing the French proposals. The reply affirms equality of rights and respect for international law, and asserts the principle that no nation can attain hegemony in Europe. It proposes permanent control and execution of treaties by a European commission, and that the extent of limitation of the armaments of each State should be decided by a twothirds majority of the European-com-mission, or such other organisation as the League Council decides. The reply states that if mutual assistance in the universal framework of the League is at the moment difficult to put into operation quickly and efficaciously regional accord should be sought.

COLLECTIVE SECURITY Moreover, even if Europe would appear too vast to apply collective security by mutual assistance and disarmament, the task of organising regional ententes within the European framework remains. This organisation should be entrusted to a European commission within the League structure. The associated States, in order to accomplish their duty of mutual assistance, shall keep a permanent, trained army, navy and air forces at the disposal of the European commission or League Council.

All treaties at present existing, besides 'those which may be concluded in the future between European Powers, shall be submitted to the European commission, which would be able, by a two-thirds majority, to pronounce them incompatible with the European pact or regional pacts.