AUSTRIA & BULGARIA

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1920, Page 1

AUSTRIA & BULGARIA

MR. ASQUITH’S VIEWS. <By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, April 14. In tlio House of Commons, in' moving the second reading of the Bill providing for carrying into effect the Austrian and Bulgarian Peace Treaties, Mr

Cecil Harmsivorth emphasised the difficulties in Austria’s ease, owing to the break up of the Empire. The principle of self determination had not been greatly involved although the German population numbering a quarter of a inillion in the Tyrol, were included with the now frontier of Italy. This was due to the principle that strategic necessity must be recognised. The situation on the Jugo-Slav frontier was for

the moment too delicate for a profitable discussion. Regarding reparations, Mr Hannsworth said that since the armistice, the Allies bad acted with unparal-

leled magnanimity towards their former enemies. The most important Article in the Treaty was that giving Bulgaria, access to the Aegean Sea, which had not yet been definitely settled.

Mr Asquith said that no State in Europe had less justification for joining the Central Empires in the war than Bulgaria. She name in at the most critical moment of Hie struggle, and Bulgaria must bear a heavy responsibility for the prolongation of the war. Therefore, the Powers generally had not dealt' harshly with her. Mr Asquith uttered a warning against the

risk of the Balkanisation of Austria. He criticised the absence of a provision for commercial intercourse between the new States. It was all important that wo should recreate economic unity. The Allies .should insist on the disarmament of the new States with a

view of safeguarding the peace of Eastern Europe. Mr Bonar Law, replying to the debate, agreed that it was deplorable the way small States were arming, but they wore independent States, and any attempt to limit armaments would not be tolerated. He admitted that unless a limitation of armaments was brought about, i’te war would liavo been fouglit to a large extent in vain. The League of Nations Covenant was embodied in these Treaties, and it was the duty of the Government to do its utmost to make the League effective. , The second reading of the Bill was sanded by 188 votes to 24.