LOCARNO CONFERENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1925, Page 2

LOCARNO CONFERENCE.

>—«»•«►—< - THE SECURITY PACT. DETAILS OF ARTICLES, f Australia A N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON. Oct.. 20. The text of the Locarno Security Bait, published hv the Foreign Office, issues a (ommentary stating that, although not yet actually signed, the terms are definitely fixed and unalterable. When the Conference reunites in London on December Ist. tor the formal signing, the delegates will have behind them all the force of considered opinion of the respective countries. AH . Austen Chamberlain, from the moment that Britain indicated her unwillingness to accept the 1921 Protocol, emphasised Britain’s opinion that the most helpful method of solving the Security problem "as by a limited arrangement dealing effectively with the area front which trouble was most likely to spring: believing that the establishment of a hotter state of affairs on Germany’s western frontiers would radiate good until a general peace was / assured, and the Pact enshrines this policy.

Article One contains a guarantee of J inviolability of frontiers between Germany and Frame and between Germany and Belgium. Article Two contains tlie express German undertaking not to make war on Era nee and Belgium, who likewise are pledged not to attack Germany. War tnav become legitimate only where the dispute has been referred to the Lon-

gue and the Council fails to agree. The parties then may take such action a> they think necessary for the maintenance ol right and justice; hut the Fact restricts this right inasmuch as Germany. Franco and Belgium agree. They will not resort to action except against a State which has already made an attack, ft also provides that only after the League's unanimous decision that action is called for. can any party initiate measures amounting to war against the other contracting party.

Article Three envisages the ultimate elimination of war as a means of settling disputes. It also contains comprehensive engagements by Germany. Franco, and Belgium to settle all differences by peaceful methods before Tribunals. or Conciliation Commissions, in the event of any party finding the Commission's recommendation unaeoept able, the dispute must go before the League under tlie Covenants embodied in Article Fifteen. As this matter is likely to lead to rupture, this is as near as it is possible to get towards a watertight system of peaceful settlement of disputes arising from dash of political interests or domestic pnli-

Article Four particularly affects Britain who guarantees to support Germany if attacked by Franco or Belgium an France and Belgium if attacked by Germany. Allegations that the attack occurred must 1)0 reported to the League, and if the Council holds that an attack "as made, the guarantee comes into immediate operation. Germany. Franco, and Belgium also join in this guarantee; thus, in the event of Franco attacking Germany, he latter is instantly supported by ■ < nmhiimt ion of Britain. Belgium and Italy. If instant measures are necessary. the guarantee operates immediately. provided the guaranteeing forces are satisfied an attack has occurred. but the case slid goes before the League. whose findings are binding. Article Five contains a guarantee <>f arbitration eon volitions Itetween Germany. France and Belgium, drawing distinction in cases whore there lia.< been failure to observe the convention, acompanicd by a resort to war. and where, if war occurs in the first ease, "Il the other parties to the Locarno Treaty, except the one making war, ■■ ill eonie to help the Power attacked. In the second ease the League Council considers the situation and the parties agree to abide by the Council’s proposals.

Article Six contains the special right under tbe Versailles nr subsequent treaties. Article Seven, covering tbe League’s oower. authority, and position, and pointing out that the treaty i* intended to strengthen, not weaken, tbe League, provides suplenientary guarantees within tbe League's framework. Article Eight deals with the duralion of tbe treaty. It does not specify the period, but slate* that it. can be terminated when (he League is strong mtuigh to ensure protection of the part ie*. AN IMPORTANT CONDITION. LONDON. October 20. Article Ten of the Pact, is an important one, as it provides that the Treaty shall not operate unless and until Germany enters the League of Nations. This has been an essential part of the Anglo-French policy since the iniiialion ol the diplomatic discussion on September !>th. Germany has always telt anxious as to hpw her position is tillei ted under the covenant Article Sixteen, it she joined the League. It was lor the purpose of calming German.' * tears that the Powers’ meeting at l.oiariin *ent Germany a letter giving an interpretation of Article Six-

Ihe delegates signed the Protocol deol.iring lheir linn conviction that the Loeaiuo treaties and conventions would lomribuio greatly to bring about a atoral relaxation ol the tension between the nations, and help powerfully towards the solution of many political ■ ;| e! economic problems, would strengthen the peai o and -oeurity of Kuropa and would hasten disarmament. Ihe Irmly expressly declared that mi obligation* are imposed on the British Dominions and India, unless their Governments accept the treaty. Ihe guarantee treaties, by which !■ rami' guarantees arbitration treaties between Hermnny and Poland and !>etweeii Germany and (‘y.eeho-Siovakin, ■* l e not mentioned in the l.ocarn > I routy. hut they come into force simiillaneouHy. It is pointed out .specifically that the* li'enty oi Locarno does not invalidate any ol tlie parties’ special rights or undermine in the slightest, the powers "I the League ol Nations. 1 *C’Cl' I ‘ATION Ql' ESTIOXS. LONDON .Oct. 20. ■Mr Clmmlierhiiii and ,A|. Painleve discussed tin- changes in the occupation of the Rhineland concerning which the Quai D’Orsay emphasises that no promises, either written or verbal, were given the Germans with regard to the •■vaeuatiou of Cologne, which depends upon Germany's evacuation of her disarmament obligations apart from the evacuation of Cologne, which, it is generally understood, will not he long delayed. A certain amount of satisfaction can Ik* given the Germans immediately in the shape ot eoneessions rendering the Allies administration on the Rhine more palatable.