THE SECURITY PACT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1925, Page 3

THE SECURITY PACT.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] FRENCH PROPOSALS. LONDON. June 18. The French reply to Germany commends the German oiler to conclude arbitration 'treaties, similar to that between Germany and f' ranee, with all the States so disposed, and the Note ,-ays: - ••The Allied Governments muv even consider that, in the absence of such agreements between Germanv and 1 host* ot her neighbours who. though not parties to the Rhineland Pact, are signatories, the peace of Europe could not I*' completely

The reply adds, however, that the Allied States, under the Covenant of tlic League of Nations and the Peace Treaties, have rights and obligations

which they cannot possibly give up

The reply proceeds that a general guarantee of security for the maintenance of peace cannot he completely assured unless all the agreements aimed tit come into force simultan-

eousiv. T iir.se agreements, in couicr llliiy with the Covenant, ought to la registered by the League of Nations, and placed under its auspices. LONDON. June IH.

A white paper has been issued containing the French reply to the German Security Pact, proposals. It welcomes the German step. Inn point* out that it is important to know the views of the German Government on

certain questions. because a preliminary agreement concerning them appears to lie necessary as tile basis ol future negotiations. It emphasises that agreement is only cnnccivahle if Germany enters the League ol Nations. .Moreover, the search lor a guarantee tor security cannot involve any modifications ol the peace Deaties. The reply, referring to the suggested pact between the Powers interested in the Rhine, s.ays that those States must clearly include Belgium, which is not mentioned in the reicrference to the suggested arbitration

treaty guaranteeing a peaeelul settlement! of juridical and political conflicts. Tho reply says that. as between France and Germany, such a treaty ought to apply for all disputes, and not leave room for coercive action, unless specially provided for. similar to the Bclgo-German treaty. It is also necessary that the observance of these treaties shall he assured by the guarantee of the Powers participating in the Rhineland Pact, *o as

to tiring the guarantees into immediate operation if one party retuses to submit, a dispute to arbitration, or to carry- out an arbitral award, and restored to hostile measures. T|,e reply adds that France will welcome the co-operation of U» United States. It concludes that France will he glad to receive a Fermi,,, reply which, will permit oi I ' 1 opening of negotiations with the us jed of concluding agreements constituting new and elfeetual guarantee:! of peaco.