THE SECURITY PACT

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1925, Page 2

THE SECURITY PACT

REPLY TO GERMANY. [Australia & X'.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Aug. 12. A French communique regarding the conversations says: "Complete accord was reached on the terms of the answer to be sent by the French Government in agreement with the Allies, to the last German note concerning treaties of mutual guarantee and arbitration. The conversations furnished an occasion for the exchange ot views on the subject of the projected .security pact. Such pact cannot take definite form until the conversations have been engaged on the subject between representatives of all ua interested parties. The eon versa l ions in London have largely contributed to the hastening of the tine of eventual conversations, which will permit a definite final result. It is learned that the live hour* conversation between M. Briand and Mr Chamberlain yesterday. resulted in .substantial progress towards the removal of the few points whereon agreement was not reached. The question cf the Anglo-French debts has not so far been mentioned, and nothing i* likely to be done in this connection at present, in view l of M. Cailaux's express'd intention to come to London personally soon, in order to make a “gentleman’s offer.'’ to settle the question. Il is expected that M. Bi'iand will depart for Pari.* iu the morning. The text of ihe French Reply to Germany a* apnroved. will he submitted to tile Allied Governments, and will be then despatched lor Berlin speedily. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic lorrespondent states: The reply follows the line* already forecasted. Its underlying purpose is to facilitate direct conversations between the Allies and Germany. How these will be conducted seems to be uncertain. M. Briand is opposed to the idea ol a plenary conference, but he favours, at present, verbal exchanges through the Ambassadorial channels, followed by conversations among the Allied and German jurists. '1 ho draft Pact and arbitration treaties will merely have served as the bisis for discussion. ’l'm draft Pact was lengthily discussed, not solely by M. Briand and Mr Chamberlain, hut separately l>y the resnective exoerts. A tentative agreement was reached on several points. Mr Chamberlain insisted, in accordance with the Cabinet’s instructions, that a League of Nations pronouncement was necessary before France should cross the demilitarised zone. 1 here is still dillidonce on France’s side in this respect. It is quite sure, that, as soon as the jurists of the interested parties have agreed on the technical points, the Allied and German Foreign Ministers will meet, hut no date or place has been fixed. Despatches from Berlin indicate concern over a report that M. Briand and Mr Chamberlain have .■igieeil that Germany must waive her demand for the annulment of Article Sixteen - r til" League t'evenaut before Germany enters Ihe League. Authoritative quarters state that Goiinatiy will insist on His demand, on the ground that site has only an armt ~f cue hundred thousand, while her neighbours are armed to tbe teeth. It is further ("litemled that. Germany, being disarmed and powerless, could not permit the passage of foreign troops through her territory, or participate m anv armed action against Russia. It

the Allies attach importance to Germanv’s joining the League, the domain for ihe passage of troops across Germany must he dropped.

a successful visit. LONDON’. Aug. 13. _ The “Times” says:—-M. Briand s visit has been entirely successful. Something really definite has been accomplished. The chief 'concern of Mr Chamberlain and M. Briand has been to lit a Pact into the existing European arrangements and make il a practical issue, and to measure genuinely it* effi'-my for peace by linking it nn l'V'icnllv. legally and historically with Ho Peace Treaty and the League Covenant. Germany is now invited iu nartiepaie in this profitable discussion. Never' was the prospect more favourable. It is clearly to Germany’s advantage to pursue tliis most Impel til political effort she lias made since the