THE LOCARNO PACT.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 December 1925, Page 2

THE LOCARNO PACT.

i Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

DR LUTHER’S SPEECH

LONDON, December 1

At tlie beginning of the Locarno Pact speeches Dr Luther expressed the sympathy of all nations represented, for Queen Alexandra’s loss to the British Empire and to the Royal I'amily. All welcomed wholeheartedly the King’s conviction that the i.ocarno 1 reaties would lie a work of pacification and reconciliation for the ioundation ol a real friendship between the nations now ■represented and he assured Ills Majesty that ii was a call to peace that the peoples so urgently needed as a basis of recovery. Dr Luther earnestly hoped Sir A. Chamberlain's wishes would he fulfilled, more especially as regards the relations between Germany and Hie other nations represented. All peoples must unite and delegate all prejudices and mistrust to the past and thus open the way to further development in which all must collaborate. "The fact that districts of my Eatheriand.” continued Dr l.utlier,

"have still to suffer the consequences of war must also he ended within a measurable period : likewise, tla* feelings of mistrust which we desire to lie nmfcunllv renounce**!. Kven more iniportant than the treaty's contents, which denote new world relationship’s, there must be unity of purpose to work peacefully together. Germany, gladly, mice more, identities liorsolt with this work in harmony with her previous attitude and her own initiative, hoping it will results in the cooperation of all the peoples hero assembled.”

THE SPEECHES. LONDON. Doe. 2

Sir A listen Chamberlain, in opening the ceremony, said he regretted Signor Mussolini's ahsenee. He said that tho I.ocarno Pact, while strengthening former friendships, had heen the basis of a reeont iliation with Germany. It was, he said, “a reconciliation which we are convinced will assure to us henceforth yet another friend.” Ho continued: “We are fully aware there is much still to lie done in order that our hopes may he realised. We shall meet many difficulties, prejudices, and suspicions; but Britain is unsluikeubly resolved to pursue the work of pacification in the same spirit as that which has inspired our negotiations at Locarno. Having put our hand to the plough, we shall not look hack. Britain will do everything in her power to ensure a successful issue to our noighlsours to hurv the hatreds and suspicions of the past, and to spare future generations a repetition of those misfortunes and sufferings of which the world to-dav has heen tho witness and victim.’’ LONDON;, Dee. 1. Speaking at the signing of the Pact the Italian delegate. Signor Seialoga explained that Premier Mussolini was absent only because he was personally directing several Ministerial Departments. and he regretted his inability to attend, because lie personally had initialled the Treaty documents at Locarno. thus emphasising his belief that these treaties were destined to be the basis of new relations between the European States. Inspired by a broad spirit of conciliation and mutual confidence, Italy was proud to participate in this great peae work, and she gave her distintcrcstcd guarantee with the sole object of opening an era of fraternity between the nations.

Signor Scialogu said that, although Italy had no immediate interests, she had gladly signed the Pact, realising that the foundations were being laid of a great collective work for the continuity of European civilisation. M. Yandcrvclbe. Hie Belgian Premier said : “May a new era. be dated from to-day. in which the nations which have suffered from war's scourge shall work together in mutual eonfidenee. and prepare, by the disarmament of their hearts for the disarmament of their bands.” M. Yandervelde said that, for centuries Belgium had been the battleground for rival ambitions. She wished to become a link in a harmonious chain of nations. M. Kkrzinski (Poland) said:- -The spirit of Locarno should henceforth be called “the spirit of London." M. Skrynski expressed the hope that the agreements signed to-day would live in the spirit and in letter, and also that the great, guardian minds who presided a; their iineption will watch over their future development. We render homage to Britain's nobility, loyalty and honesty. She will be remembered as tin* powerful artisan ol a great work which future genernliotts will bless.”

M. Belies (Ozeeho-Slovnkin) said: “The Treaties, of themselves, do not possess miraculous powers. It will only bo what the signatories make of them. Czeclio-Slovakia will be proud to collaborate.

M. Briand said: “I consider my association with the Locarno Pact to be the most important and moving act of my nlreadv long | olitical career. T have received a touching letter from an unknown parent woman. It says: ‘Allow a mother of a family to eongratuI late von. At least. I shall lie able to look at mv children without apprehension. and love them with .some security.’ " M. Briand continued: “However, it is not the first time that the nations have assembled seeking security agreement's. The former agreements were But flimsy safeguards against war, bristling as they were with difficulties and anxieties, like Die gloomy clouds charged with electricity which carry thunder in their womb. The Locarno Treaty, just consecrated by our signatures, embodies an encouraging innovation, inasmuch ns that from jt there

emanates another spirit, namely that of solidarity, replacing distrust and spirit of suspicion. Ido not hope to render war impossible by the accumulation of strength, but by bonds of mutual assistance and of human solidarity. M. Briand remarked: “Opposite me sit German delegates That does not mean that- I do not remain a good Frenchman, as they remain good Germans, but, in the light of these treaties. we arc Europeans only. By our signatures, we declare for peace, for ' blotting out national antagonisms, and for the banishing of unpleasant memories. The Locarno Treaty will lie of small value, will he frail and disappointing unless it constitutes a European family within the T/eague of Nations. To-day’s Treaty is worth while if it means that the massacres of tho flower of the nations’ youth is ended, thus preventing women’s brows from being overcast hv fresh gloom, stopping tho devastating ravishment of the countryside, and the mutilation of the nations. During the centuries we have often been in conflict on bloody battle fields, showing equal heroism. Now. we must collaborate in the common labour of peace, discovering in this phase of human activity opportunities of emufation no less glorious. As the spokesman for the immense majority of my compatriots. I solemnly declare itjjs in this spirit that 1 sign these tr.&iaf from which we arc determined to extract everything that can provide against war, and in favour of peace 1 ,;o therein the beginning of a magni.icent work for the renewal of Europe, creating a general union, whero all the nations shall be invited to participate according to their individual qualifications, a union ensuring them a definite peace, and permitting to them the consecration of their intelligence and genius to a steady advance cm the road to progress. 1 ardently

hope that the Ixicarno Agreements will fulfil all their promises, and that the ' germs therein' may develop peace. The German Foreign Minister, Dr Stresemanii, drew attention to the informal Locarno Conference. He emphasised tho fact that Birtain’s centuries of political experience had proved that unwritten laws were better than stiff formulas. Ho paid a tribute to Sir Austen Chamberlain’s umiabilty and determination to achieve •i successful issue. This treaty did not represent a judicial construction ot political ideas, but it was the basis of a great future development of the nations professing the determination that Hiev wore prepared to satisfy humanity’s longing for peace and concord. If Hie Pact merely was a bundle of paragraphs, it would not survive. It •oulcl only become a reality if the delerininatiun existed to create new coniitions in Europe. While rood Frenchmen, Englishmen and Germans, each must secondly be a'Cßizen of Europe. He continued: “We have the right :o speak of tho European idea. This Europe of ours made the largest sacrifices during tho World War. A community of fate binds us together. If we go under, we shall go under together. We can rise only by working together.” Dr St resent ann added : “Therefore, »e cannot afford to live in discord and enmity, but wo must join hands. May be, later generations reason to think gratefully of to-day. <s the beginning of a new epoch. ’’ ■■*■ MISCELLANEOUS ITE.MS. LONDON, December 2. After the signing Sir Austen Chamberlain handed Dr Luther a Note regarding Article Sixteen of the League Covenant ias previously agreed). The Pact signatories used special oens. which they will keep as mementoes. Sir Austen Chamberlain’s pen was in the form of a gold quill, a gift from the British delegates to the Locarno 'Conference.

Prior to the luncheon at Buckingham Palace, the King knighted Sir Austen Chamberlain, invested him with tho 0* dor of tl.o Garter, and bestowed tho Grand Cross on Mrs Chamberlain.

Everybody showered ions on Sir A. Chamberlain on his knighthood. The delegates lunched as tho guests of Lady Chamberlain, and it was later that Sir A. Chamberlain presented them at the Palace to the King.

The King entertained the Locarno Pact delegates at tea at Buckingham Palace. A film of the signing of the Pact was shown to the guests at Sir A. and Lady Chamberlain’s dinner party to the delegates. , The King’s welcome message wWrend by Sir Austen Chamberlain at the signing ceremony. Though couched in the warmest phrases, it contained a sad touch of personal loss, which, jierhaps, partly explained the restrained note in the proceedings. It was a pence tinged with mourning for tho peacemaker's Queen. It was a wonderfully well-ordered ceremony, with none of the little lapses of the Versailles Treaty signing. After the Locarno Pact ceremonies, the respective delegates drove off in flag-decked ears through a human avenue to Whitehall. All were heartily cheered. The most cordial reception was given to the German delegates who raised their silk hats in ncknotw lodgement. Referring to his pride at participating in the ceremony of the signing of the Locarno Pact, Sir J. Cook said that although Australia had not signed tho Pact. Britain’s signature was a guarantee on behalf of the whole Empire that every Dominion and every Colony under the British flag was eager to participate ill the promotion of permanent European peace, which would necessarily react to the promotion of tho interests of the Dominions and the colonies.

Sir James Allen said that the event was the beginning of a now ora—'ot Peace in Europe, in which New Zealand was glad to narticipnte, even in the humble capacity of a spectator. Today’s experience was the most uniquo one during bis tenure of office. MR COATES’S COMMENT. CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. Speaking at the dinner of the Canterbury Industrial Association to-night the Prime Minister said the signing of the Treaty of Mutual Guarantees should bring to all the greatest happiness. They found nations of Europe, those which had been so lately at war with each other, guaranteeing each other’s ponce. It would tend to solidarity to the world, and it was particularly pleasing to notice that the leading hand in bringing about this was that of an Englishman, Sir Austen Chamberlain. He trusted that the Pact would bring peace to Europe, and that armaments could lie reduced, thus paving the way to world pence. fe -