DIVIDED EMPIRE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18419, 27 June 1925, Page 15

DIVIDED EMPIRE.

"ABSURD" PACT POSITION.

LONDON PAPER'S CRITICISM.

(bt cablf—press association—corraioirr.) (AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON. June 25

The "Daily Express," in an editorial on Mr Austen Chamberlain's speech in the House of Commons on t-ho proposed Security Pact, says that it reveals the remarkable fact that tho Dominionswill be allowed to contract out of the Pact. With or without tho co-opera-tion of tho Dominions tho British Government is to put Great Britain's signature to a treaty of death. Mr Chamberlain is tho first Foreign •Secretary to admit diplomatic disunity ns a- principle in Imperial policy. Ho will advisedly go into Europe, though ho knows the Empire never will. His view is that though Franco anil Great Britain may bo involved in war with Germany, or Germany and Great Britain involved in "war with France, neither Canada, Australia, India, New Zealand nor South Africa will be at •war with anyone. It is only necessary to state tho position to seo tho inherent absurdity.

If Mr Chamberlain's policy triumphs tho Empire, as a political, constitutional and military entity will eomo theoretically to an end.

GERMAN OPINION.

UNFAVOURABLE COMMENTS. (by cable—rnsss association— cornuGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND 2,\Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received June 2Gth, 10.30 p.m.) BERLIN, Juno 25. The "Tageblatt" is disappointed at tho vagueness of Mr Chamberlain's speech in the Ilouso of Commons, and expresses tho opinion that tho Trench reply to tho German offer merely denotes a Pact against Germany, whilo according to Mr Chamberlain Articlo 16 of tho Leaguo of Nations Covenant remains in force, although it is an insurmountable obstaclo to Germany's entry into tho League. Dr. Stresemann's organ, "Diezeit,," also emphasises tho view that Germany cannot negotiations if tho right to send troops across, her territory is insisted on, butbclioves that thcro is still a groat difference of opinion between Paris and London in this regard. Tho Nationalist paper, "Boorsen Zeituug," says the spocch did not take account of Germany's greatest need, namely, a reasonable revision of the Peace Treaty.