The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1928. GERMANY'S ATTITUDE.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 July 1928, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 10, 1928. GERMANY'S ATTITUDE.

A desire for a peaceful understanding with other Powers is, according to the Chancellor of Germany, the basis of the foreign policy of the new Government. The Chancellor said that the Government was convinced it was justified in demanding the immediate evacuation of the occupied areas. It is unlikely that this demand will be complied with. On November 16th. 1925, the inter-Allied Ambassadors Conference at Paris promised that the troops should be reduced to a number of approximately “normal strength.” Since this promise of November 16th. 1925, 10,000 troops have been withdrawn, and the size of the army of occupation in February last was 60,000 men. The troops of occupation are authorised by the Treaty of Versailles. The Chancellor contends that Germany has renounced all idea of revenge. This remains to be proved. There is still an active party in Germany working for the restoration of some of the lost colonics and the abolition of the Polish corridor, even if the territorial losses on the Western frontier are accepted. ‘We may take the Chancellor's statement that the foundations of the German Republic are now firm and unshakable as being probably correct. Count Westarp, the leader of the Nationalist Party, still extols the virtues of monarchy, but the restoration of the monarchy cannot be regarded as a live issue in Germany. A republic, however, can be just as aggressive as a monarchy. The Chancellor says that it must be made clear to the world that the position whereby Germany stands disarmed in the midst of nations which prp armed to the teeth is an impossible

one. But France has to consider other countries than Germany in taking steps to ensure her national safety. France is more closely connected with Poland than any other State. An alliance between these two countries was signed in February, 1921, in Which they announced their desire to safeguard peace in Europe, to assure the security, and defence of their territory and further their general interests.' In ease of an attack on either, the two will act in concert in order to defend their territory. If Poland were attacked by either Germany or Russia, French assistance would be expected under this alliance. Russia lias concluded what Moscow statesmen call “treaties of friendship and neutrality” with Turkey, Germany, Persia, and Afghanistan. These treaties may ho all that their name implies. On the other hand, they may have a deeper political significance. France, therefore, is bound under treaty to keep a large armed force in case of trouble with Russia. The final protocol of the Locarno Conference expressed tho hopo that the Locarno Treaties and Conventions would contribute greatly to bring about a moral relaxation of the tension lie tween nations, and that in strengthening peace and security the disarmament contemplated in tho Covenant of the League would bo hastened. The Conferences held at Geneva in connection with disarmament have shown that the problem is by no means simple. But as security grows armaments will tend to decrease, and problems of this kind, as the Chancellor of Germany says, can be solved only by goodwill.