Belgium's Integrity

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 84, 26 April 1937, Page 7

Belgium's Integrity

Britisb Cffioial Wir^bss.)

FRESH GUARANTEES Locarno Qbligations Ended NOW NEUTRAL GR0UND

(Eeceived 26, 2-0 p.m.) EUGBY, April 25. A joint deelaration, the chief effect of wMch is to relieyp ^eL gium from her obligations towards Britain agd France resulting from the Treaty of Locarno and arrangements draym np in London og Maycb 19, 1936, was communicated hy the British and Fregcff Amhagsadors to the Belgian Toreign Minister at Brussels. The text of the communication is as folloAs: "The Governments of the United Kingdom of Britain and Northern Ireland and the Prench Kepublic, being anxious to give full expression to their sympathy with the desire of the Belgian Government, have agreed to make the following deelaration, namely — the said Governments had taken note of the views the Belgian Government has expreseed coneerning the dnterests of Belgium; — Firstly, the determination expressed publicly by the Belgian Government (a) to defend the frontiers of Belgium with all its forces against any aggtession or invasion, anff prevent Belgian territory from heing used for purposes of aggression against another State as a passage or as a base of operations hy land, by sea or in the air, and (b) to organise a defence of Belgium in an efficient manner for this purpose. Seeondly, the regewed assurgnees of the fidelity of Belgium to the Covenant of the League of Nations and to the obligations which it involves for members of the League. "In consequence, taking into aceount these assurances, the Government of the TTnited Kingdom and - the Government of France declare that they consider Belgium should he now released from all her obligations towards them resulting from either the Treaty of Locarno, or the arrangements drawn up at London on March 19, 1936; and that they maintain in respect of Belgium, the undertaking of . assistance whieh they entered into towards her under the ahovementioned instruments -'The Government of the Umted Kingdom and the Government of France agree that the release of Belgium from her obligations in no way affects the existing unffertakings hetween the United Kingdom and Franco,