LOCARNO PACT.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16634, 27 October 1925, Page 5

LOCARNO PACT.

OPPOSED IN GERMANS

MINISTERS RESIGN. EFFORT TO AVOID COLLAPSE. The German National Party. Is disappointed with the Locarno agreement, and it is possible that all the members of the Cabinet will resign. Efforts, however, are being made to avoid a collapse. It is considered that a general election is inevitable, and one paper claims that the pact is dead. (Sydney Sun Cable.) BERLIN, October 25. The members of the German National Party in the Reichstag have approved the decision of their representatives in the Cabinet, Ilerr Schicle, Dr. Neuhaus, and Dr. von Schliebcn, Ministers for the Interior, National Economy, and Finance respectively, to tender their resignations in consequence of the party's dissatisfaction with the Locarno agreements. It is possible that the whole of the members of the Cabinet will resign, but strenuous efforts arc being made to avoid a complete collapse.

It is suggested that cither the vacancies may be filled by officials or that the Cabinet may be reconstructel by shifting its basi9 further to tho Left, and by relying on the friendly support of the Socialists. The latter may even be included in the Ministry for" the sole purpose of carrying out the Locarno policy. It is believed that one of these combinations will be arranged. The alternative would be a dissolution.

The resignation of the three National Ministers is regarded as such a "slap in the face" for Dr. Luther, the Chancellor, and Herr Stresemann, Foreign Minister, that both of them may also resign. , Hindenburg's Position Delicate.

The political struggle is now between the advocates of stabilisation and reaction, but news of the evacuation of Cologne might induce the Nationalists to change their minds. Apparently a general election is inevitable over the Locarno Pact. The Nationalist paper, Deutsche Zeitung, already claims that the pact is dead.

President Hindenburg's position is also most delicate, as he has given his approval to the Locarno settlement, and his decision is now challenged by his own parly. An earlier message said that although the decision of the German Nationalists to oppose the ratification of the Treaty of Locarno had caused considerable excitement, the final word would rest with the German National Party in the Reichstag.

In the meantime President Hindenburg, Dr. Luther, and Herr Stresemann had cancelled all their engagements, and were remaining in the capital to negotiate with the party leaders, with the object of achieving a settlement. Stresemann's Clear Edict.

A statement to the effect that the Locarno Pact must be accepted was Ihe gist of a speech delivered by Herr Slressmann at Karlsruhe. He said that, what had been accomplished at Locarno deserved the approval of every German who believed in (he regeneration of Germany. She had given proof of her peaceful intentions by skming the Locarno Pact. The other Powers must now justify their faith with A practical demonstration. These results might be expected from this new situation. Ilerr Strcssrnann specifically mentioned Cologne, and clearly indicated that its evacuation was expected to precede the signing of the Locarno Pact.

With the existence of the pact, he Maid, there was no logical reason for retaining the long military occupation of Cologne in order to secure peace.