THE SECURITY PACT

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1925, Page 3

THE SECURITY PACT

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

ITS FATI'i UNC ICR TAIN. BERLIN, November 2. The fate of the Locarno Pact is uncertain in the present tan ole of party views. Herr Luther and l)r Streseuiniin are hopeful the Nationalists will relent and thus enable the Reichstag to ratify the treaty, hut the Socialists are pressing for a dissolution. arguing tlmt they are unwilling to cast their ill support of Herr Luther and "ratification, because it virtually means enabling the Nationalists to shed the responsibility attaching to their original pact proposals. While it is generally conceded tliaL the majority of (ierinans are in favour

of ratilication it is felt a plebiscite thereon is impracticable as it would bo submerged in a welter of domestic side issues. 'file present .indications point to Cabinet signing the treaty on December Ist, thus easting on its opponents the responsibility for flouting world opinion.

Dr Stresemann, speaking at Dresden, expounded the treaty in terms hj unusual as to attract attention, lie said Mr Austen Chamberlain declared to him that the British navy and army would stand at (lermany’s disposal if France aggressively overstepped the frontiers.