PEACE PACTS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 March 1925, Page 3

PEACE PACTS

THE FRENCH PLEASED. [“The Times” Service.) (Received tnis duv ol 9.20 a.m.) LONDON, .March 8. The ‘‘Times’ ” Paris correspondent says Air Chamherlain’s speech pleased Fra nee, where it is regarded as dcfinitely connecting Britain with the maintenance of European peace. 'lhe only regret is the absence of tangible British proposals. It may easily be imagined that there is scepticism at Merman good faith, as there is still a strong belief widely held that the (t<-r----mans’ apparent eoncilintoviness is merely aimed at encouraging the powers in direction of evacuation. It, therefore, is not surprising the French are suspicions and their thoughts largely centred on purely an Allied pact.

SECURITY PACT. ..Received this day at 9.2 d a.m.) BERLIN', March 8. Though the nature of the German proposals for the Security Pact are still not disclosed, reports regarding them have upset the Nationalist newspapers. The “ .National Post ” says the proposals are tantamount to a surrender of Alsace-Lorraine. The districts of F.upen and Alulnfcdy are practically in agreement regarding the existing frontiers, east and west, which it describes as an outrage.

The “ Deutsche 'Pages Zeitung,” which says the proposals recognise the status cjuo of the Western frontiers, proposes arbitration regarding the eastern, declaring that they testify to Germany’s firm resolve for pacification.' The “ Berliner Tageblatt ” says the general security of the pact would be a more reliable guarantee for I' ranee than a military alliance by France with her eastern wassals. PARIS. March 8.

The newspaper comments, which confirm the ‘Deutschetagcs ZeitungV report of the nature of Germany’s proposals, arc generally hostile to the idea of arbitration. They emphasise the difference in viewpoints of Paris and London. There is no likelihood ol conversations between .Mr Chamberlain and M. Harriott affecting a settlement of the questions. the most of which require long and difficult negotiations.

OUINTUPLE PACT SUGGESTED LONDON, March 8.

A cartoon in a Sunday paper showing Mr Austin Chamberlain climbing the Alps loaded with a bulging pack labelled “ European difficulties,” is a mild way of illustrating his heavy responsibilities relative to the fortheom.ing League of Nations Conference at Geneva, a preliminary to which have been diplomatic, visits to Paris during the week-end, and notably Mr Chamberlain and -M. Kruscyiiski (from Pulnnd) advocating respecting the pros and eons of the German pact proposal. At, Herriot is on the horns of a dilemma because France’s military alliances with Poland and Czoclio-fSlovakia necessitate a German guaranteee respecting the eastern as well as the western frontier.

in the course of his conversations with M. Herriot, according to the “ Havas Agency,” Mr Chamberlain suggested a quintuple guarantee pact, France Britain. Italy, Belgium and Germany to be eventually joined by Poland and CV.eeho-slovakia. It would be accompanied by general peace in Europe and consolidate the particular position of Poland. Air Chamberlain and Af. Herriot agreed that Germany’s application for admission to the League must he unconditional. The upshot of the conversations is likely to he an inter-Al-lied Conference to which Germany may he admitted.