FRANCE OBJECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 January 1928, Page 2

FRANCE OBJECTS

THE U.S. PROPOSALS. (Australian «fc N.Z. Cable Association. PARIS, Jan. 4. It is stated that M. Briand cabled the Ambassador in Washington that tin all-Powers pact would be contrary to the spirit of the Covenant, and would prevent the League of Nations authority coping with international disputes. LONDON PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, Jan. I. The “Daily Mail” interprets M. Briand’s reply as tantamount to a iejection of Mr Kellogg's proposal, which if accepted, would establish a new association of nations, under the aegis of Washington, and possibly in opposition to the League of Nations. M. Briand now proposes that trance and America should sign a bilateral agicement similar to the separate agreements being signable between the United States and other Powers, thereby reserving the League’s independence and power to deal with international disputes arising outside the United States.

PRESS PUZZLED. LONDON, Jan. 5. Air Kellogg’s invitation to the Powers puzzled the press, especially in view of the League Assembly’s resolution of September, beginning: “Firstly, all war is prohibited.” The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent says: I*ranee has naturally been gratified to obtain Amoiican assurance that whatever conflict might occur between France and Germany, France would in no circumstances find America against her, but if Amelia should give a similar assurance to Germany, one assurance would merely cancel out the. other, so that in the event of a Franco-German conflict. the belligerents would be able to rely merely on American neutrality. The “.Morning Post’s” Paris correspondent says: M. Briand hoped lor a strictly private personal treaty between the two great Republics, and bad not .envisaged in a treaty which would be a little more than a renewal of the already existing arbitration treaties.

The Post editorially asks: “Did not the League recently pass a resolution much more sweeping than such as Alt’ Kellogg contemplates? It is clearly inconsistent with the League’s machinery', and must he particularly unacceptable to the French Government, which has taken a lead in urging the case for the Protocol. The “Daily Express” declines to associate itself with those critics who see only a pious gesture, intended to soothe that section of the American public which is agitated over the larger navy programme. “America has been the hope and despair of warwearied humanity. Maybe she is rising at last to the glorious opportunity which history has assigned her.” NEW YORK, Jan. 4. AYhile the expression of the willingness of the American Government to enter into a treaty, not only with France, but with the entire world, has taken the wind out of French sails AYashington opinion ill some ijiiaitcis is inclined to the belief that certain elements in France are now socking to repudiate “paternity’ of the child <i peace which was laid by Al. Briand on the American doorstep.”

Officials reiterate that the* value of the French proposal lies in its nplioablencss to all the powers, and that this would give greater assurance of the preservation of world peace. AYhile it is admitted that tlie proposal contains no provision for compelling obedience, it nevertheless is contended here that the moral obligation would be so great that any nation violating its pledge would bring upon itself the condemnation of the world.

m:iantes diplomacy. WASHINGTON. Jan. 4. The reaction of the Arbitration Treaty in Paris, Berlin and London has liad a peculiar reverhernfion in Washington, particularly in-so-fur as it concerns the French attitude.. The first press reports front Paris state that the French Governmentshowed an unfavourable attitude to tho American proposals)' led to comment by an observer here, that this was “laying the foundation Tor irritation in Washington official quarters.” A press despatch from Paris, justreceived, stating that M. Briand is informing Mr Kellogg that the b l endi Government looks with great favour upon the American proposal for a niutilateral part outlawing war. ispuzzling officials because of the first unfavourable reports. Despatches from London indicate that Britain is doubtful of the practicnhleness of the American proposal, while a Berlin message states that M. Briand’s original proposal was designed for ihe express purpose of getting better terms for the debt settlement, and to influence Washington opinion on the Dawes plan revision.