THE SECURITY PACT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1925, Page 1

THE SECURITY PACT

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association. GERAIANY TO SIGN. BERLIN, November 17. The German Cabinet’s decision regarding the Locarno Treaties indicates that the Government and the President approve of the Locarno Agreement and that they intend to sign on December I.2th, which action the Federal Premiers and the Reichstag will certainly sanction. The Government is convinced that the Locarno Pact signifies the beginning of a new political era in Europe. On tho contrary, the newspapers do not enthuse over what they term the alleviations in the Rhineland. The Nationalist journals point out that the Allied Notes do not mention the regime in the Faroe region, the revision of the Rhineland agreement, or the restrictions on German civil aviation.

A JUNKER PLOT. LONDON, November 17. The “Daily News” Berlin correspondent states: The authorities have discovered a Junker plot, hatched at a secret meeting on Sunday, planning for armed patrols at East Elbe to march on Berlin and forcibly dissolve the Reichstag and establish a dictatorship with a view of preventing the Pact being signed by Germany. The authorities have doubled Dr Stresemaun’s police guard, and arc preparing to round up the plotters. THE EVACUATION. LONDON, November 17. AL Briaiul (Foreign Alinister) in a nolo on behalf of the Allied Ambassadors, issued from the Foreign Office, declares that the Allied Governments in recognition of Germany’s desire to conform with their demands, have resolved to introduce into the occupation of the Rhineland all alleviations compatible with the peace treaty. Large measures of amnesty would he granted and tho number of troops in occupation would he considerably reduced. Alcasures would he taken to facilitate the full exercise of German administration in the occupied territory. The Allies have decided to proceed with the evacuation of Cologne as speedily as possible. Tt is expected this will ho carried out mostly by January 31st and entirely by February 20th. BRITISH LABOUR. AND PACT. LONDON November 17. The Labour Party has decided to move to amend Air A. Chamberlain’s simple motion in favour of ratifying the Locarno Treaty at to-morrow’s debate in the House of Commons. The Labour amendment says: While agreeing to the ratification of the Pact and expressing satisfaction at the impending entry of Germany into the League of Nations, and at the improvement in international relations evinced at Locarno, this House is of the opinion that the real test of the Treaty depends upon whether it is followed by disarmament, and Hie House regrets that it does not contain a definite provision in That respect.” Tho House is further invited by tho amendment to express the view that the Treaty should he followed by positive steps to secure the adhesion of Russia to the League of Nations, and also its participation in European agreements.

The “ Daily Express’s” political correspondent reveals the significance of there being two Labour Amendments tabled in the House regarding the Locarno Pact. Yesterday’s meeting of the Socialist Party was sharply divided on the merits of the Pact. One section, including Air Lanshury, and Miss Wilkinson, were uncompromisingly hostile to Air .MacDonald and aimed at removing their leader, who, they deemed, had sueeumlied to social influences. This section proposed an amendment roundly condemning Hie Pact, though it was really less a protest against the Government than against Afr AfacDonald’s acceptance ol the Pact.

After a heated discussion, Air Ponsonby. on behalf of the majority, proposed to table in Parliament the official amendment (as cabled) hut the mutineers refused tn withdraw, so conflicting resolutions now appear on the Order Paper, one condemning and the other approving the Pact.

A LIBERAL MOTION. LONDON, November 17

There is also a Liberal sinioui 1 moilt to the Government's Lorarno Pact motion. It lnontiniis regret that the Part has been negotiated without securing the consultation and the consent of the Dominions. This amendment, however, is unhkolv to he reached.