LOCARNO CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1925, Page 2

LOCARNO CONFERENCE

[Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.] ALL TERMS SETTLED. > LONDON. October 4. All aeeoiiuis Irom Locarno agree that the terms of a Western Security Pact are settled, and the only obstacle is the concessions that Germany is demanding as the price ot a settlement. It is regarded as most probable. however, that a Pact will he installed or signed on Friday, which is Mr C'liamerlain's .sixty-third birthday. The French are insistent that the signatures shall he actually affixed. M. Hriand declared he was prepared to remain at Locarno indefinitely, and that unless the Pact was signed there, rtqf would |>erhaps never he signed. The " Morning Post's” I .oca run cor-

respondent gives the main points of the pact. The preamble, declares the signatories jiJeilge themselves not t > make war against each other, to which 'Germany has agreed so far as the West is com-erued, hut Germany steadfastly refuses a simialr pledge relating to her Eastern neighbours. The signatories pledge themselves to bring any or all of the judicial disputes arising among themselves bolore the Hague World Court, or a mutually acceptable conciliation hoard, whose members shall consist of one national of each country with a third neutral. If these agencies are unable to effect conciliation or a solution, then the dispute shall he referred to the League. The signatories pledge themselves to respect existing treaties. The famous article referring to Germany's admission to the League merely states: — " Ccrmany will join the League of Nations.” The assurances given Dr

Strescman regarding Article Sixteen are, of course, outside the pact. The document affirms the status of Italy and Britain as far as the western treaty is concerned are similar and identical and the signatories equally guarantee the lielgiatt and French t arbitration treaties with Germany. The " Post. ” correspondent adds:— " Herr Kempner took to Berlin a document in which the Allied delegation affirmed they had not authorised it promise or special treatment for Germany as far as Article Sixteen is concerned, but undertook to use their good offices to secure special recognition here of the geographical situation. Having secured one written undertaking, the Germans are now seeking another, covering a number of most important* . concession-, the most important of which are the removal of all restrictions on German airship and dirigible build ing a-livitios. and similar privileges to the Allies regarding the cri[>- * pled aviation industry. Other demands relate to the early evacuation of Cologne and the Saar. Dr Stresemantt and Dr Luther emphasise the necessity ot a written document in order to plaacte the German Nationalists and public opinion. Tlte Germans, moreover. argue that the succeeding Allied Governments niiydit not recognise the verbal promises of the present delegation :is binding. M. Hriand, on the contrary, steadfastly opposed written pledges, even for the private consumption of the German Cabinet. This is the position at present.”

The " Daily Express's ” Locarno correspondent repeats a rumour that a colonial mandate is among the concessions to Germany, lie adds:- "It is understood that the Eastern Treaties cannot possibL lie completed at Locarno. thot'■ >, the »>•:• in work on them lias been successfully carried out.”