PROPOSED PACT.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18413, 20 June 1925, Page 15

PROPOSED PACT.

FRENCH NOTE TO GERMANY.

CORRESPONDENCE ALSO

PUBLISHED.

BRITISH DEBATE NEXT WEEK

(Bt CABLE—rSESS ASSOCIATION— COm.IGIIT.) (REUTEK'B TELEOBAStS,) (Received June 19th, 5.45 p.m.) LONDON, Juno .18. A 'White Taper has been issued containing the French reply to tho German Security Pact proposals. It welcomes tho German step, but points out that it is important to know the views of the German Government, on certain questions, because a preliminary agreement concerning them appears necessary as the basis of future negotiations. It emphasises that an agreement is conceivable only if Germany enters the League of Nations. Moreover, tho search for a guarantee for security cannot involve any modifications of the peace treaties. The reply, referring to tho suggested Pact between the Powers interested in the Rhine, says thoso States must clearly include Belgium, .which was not mentioned.

In reference to tho suggested Arbitration Treaty, guaranteeing the peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflicts, the reply says that as between France and Germany such a treaty ought to apply to all disputes, and not leave room for coercive action unless specially provided for similarly to tho Belgo-Geraian Treaty. It is also necessary that the observance of theso treaties should be assured by a guarantee of tho Powers participating in the Khinehind Pact, so as to bring tho guarantees into immediato operation if one parly refused to submit a disputo to arbitration, or to carry out an arbitral award end resorted to hostile measures.

Tho reply adds that France will welcome the co-Operation of tho United States, and concludes: France will be glad to receivo a German reply which will permit of the opening of negotiations with tho object of concluding agreements constituting new and effective guarantees of peace.

THE CORRESPONDENCE

EMPIRE'S POSITION

RECOGNISED.

(AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

(Ptcceivcd Juno 19th, 10.15 .p.m.)

LONDON, Juno 1«

The French reply to Germany makes it clear that tho guaranteeing by the signatories of the Versailles Treaty of tho arbitration treaties, beyond. thoseaffecting tho llhineland, will be optional.

Published correspondence shows that Mr Austen Chahiberlain on May 18th. &treessed the 'British Government's portion as being different from that of Continental Powers in view of the position of the British Empire with its world-wide responsibilities. The Government was bound, to regard the question of participation in treaties outside the Rjiineland from a different point of viow to that of other Powers whoso interosts lay mainly, or exclusively in Europe M. Briand, on Juno 4th, replied: "\Ve realise that tho 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 which they cor.sider essential. Wo fully understand that, thenrefusal to bind themselves in advance, Except concerning the Rhincland, means only that the British Government, without disinteresting themselves in what might happen at other prints, merely reserye liberty of examination of decision.

Mr Chamberlain on June Sth informed M. Brliand that the French Government was right in assuming that tho Bhineland Pact could not operate as a barrier to prevent France taking action in case of violation between Germany and Poland, or between Germany ami Czechoslovakia.

"WAR AGREEMENT. 1 "

LONDON PAPER'S VIEW.

OTHERS CAUTIOUSLY CRITICAL.

(austeauan asd s.z. cable association.)

(Received June 19th, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, Juno 19,

No surprise has been expressed at the text of the French reply which fully confirms Press forecasts. The reply meets with a cautious, critical reception from tho Press generally, but tho "Morning Post," in a most unqualified term, approves, and proceeds:—

We- hopo that the Dominions will grasp tho fact that the proposal, instead of involving the Empire in European entanglements, really relieves it from them. It is when Europe is restless that the Empire must be on its guard, but a Europe at peace needs little watching. And this Pact is intended to give Europo peace. Tho paper says that Mr Lloyd George, in a dispatch to JJ. BYiand at the time of tho Cannes Conference, recalled how at tho previous Imperial Conference tho Dominions' statesmen wero prepared to como to tho aid of Franco if she was again attacked by Germany. Surely then, says the paper, they cannot Defuse to support an agreement to which Germany herself is a partv. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "Whether the terms of tho reply can be reg&rdeii as completely satisfactory from tho British point of view is not quite clear. The possibility of a misunderstanding over the question of independent sanctions is not removed, nor is the operation of the arbitration treaties brought so completely within the Leaguo'B sphere of action as had been hoped. Tho obligation to go to

(Continued at foot of next column.)

war without recourse- to tho League would arise tinder certain circumstances.

Tho "Daily Herald's" diplomatic correspondent fastens on to the sentence in M. Briand's dispatch in which ho savs, "We fullv understand" and ends '"d&cision." This, tho correspondent says, reveals that there have been verbal explanations given to Franco in addition to those, contained in the published correspondence. Tho "Daily Express" hypothetically considers the case of possible conflict between Poland and Germany. Franc© would instantly claim the right to move troopß across Germany to asfi&t Poland, and in a flash France and Germany would bo at war. A combat between French and German units oil the Western Front would obviously mean tho disappearance of the demilitarized zone. German troops, in the course of the struggle, would certainly make such a movement westwards as would constitute a hrench of the Pact, whereupon Britain would he at \\-ar with. Germany whether she willed it or not, The editorial concludes: This is an agreement-to-war Pact to which the British nation and tho Dominions iwill never agree.

DOMINIONS' POSITION.

STATEMENT BY MR AMERY.

(p.ECTEtt'B TELEGIIAMS.)

(Received June 19, th, 8.30 p.m.)

LONDON, June 18

In the Houbo of Commons, replying to a question Tvhethor tho Government would undertake not to commit Britain to any liability to embark in hostilities in Europo without first securing tho general concurrence of the Dominions) to the terms of such liability, Mr Amery (Colonial Secretary) said the Dominions would bo kept in the closest touch with the negotiations. Ho did not think tho general principle involved in tho question could best bo dealt with by question and answer. n

BRITISH DEBATE FIXED.

(Received June 19th, 8.45 pan.) LONDON, June 18,

Sir Baldwin, in the House of Commons, announced that the debate on the Pact would bo taken on the Foreign Office Estimates next Wednesday.

GERMAN OPINION.

GENERAL SATISFACTION AT

NOTE,

(iUSTSILUN IJTO V.Z. CkiLl XS3OCUTI6H.)

(Received June 19th, 8.45 p.m.)

BERLIN, June 18,

It is stated that it is not likely that any decision regarding the Pact Noto will bo como to for some weeks.

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