ANTI-WAR PACT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 August 1928, Page 2

ANTI-WAR PACT

Australian Press Assn.—United Service

EX-K AISER PLOTTING. LONDON, August 25.

It is perhaps not without significance that on the eve of the historic ceremony of signing the Peace Pact at Paris, the figure who' is universally admitted as being responsible for the greatest war in history should spring into the limelight as the result of his arrogant behaviour in the country which hospitably sheltered him. Ihe Amsterdam newspaper “De Telegraph ” prints to-day a, trenchant editorial, demanding that the Dutch Government, once and for all, shall end the intrigues of the ex-Kaiser, which are constantly being hatched in Holland, with an eye to their eventual development elsewhere in Europe. The paper says:—“lf dethroned monarchs go their way calmly and with dignity, the staunchest republican will appreciate their good taste, but when amid much din they continue tinkering on the road from which they, for good reasons, have been chased away, all sympathy with them is forfeited, and turns to anger, and sharp watchfulness. This applies to the exKaiser, who, for nearly a decade, has been enjoviug the right of asylum in this country. It appears as though the epoch-making events leading to his residence at Doom' have made no impression on this'conceited, dangerous man. The question is one of personal vanity. It becomes the urgent duty of the Netherlands Government to sec that the hospitality granted to .thjiS, person;- who still has the had taste to style himself “Imperial Royal Majesty” and issue cards thus printed lor circulation at homo and abroad, shall not be abused. The Government must act immediately to prevent plots hatching in their country.

SIGNING THE PACT. j AltlS, August 25. For the ceremony itself of signing the anti-war pact, the boulevards of Paris are bedec-ked with hunting. Hie Arc de Triomphe, where French national sentiment is centred, is brilliantly illuminated. Mr Kellogg, the pact’s author, to whom France is paying due homage, reached Paris with the Canadian Premier just behind Baron Ushida, who has been travelling constantly for fifteen days across the continents of Asia and Europe, from Japan, and was the first signatory to arrive. The South African delegate, Mr Smit, was just behind Mr Kellogg, and the last three, M. Jaleski, Dr Stresemnnn and Lord Cushondun. will arrive on Sunday.

HISTORIC SCENE. PARIS, August 25. For the pact signing, Mr Kellogg suggested Rainhouillet, hut this is considered not to he a sufficiently historic rendezvous. The French Government finally persuaded Mr Kellogg that ail would he well, because he would not sit in the same chair as the late President Wilson’s chair, special chairs being reserved for Kings and Presidents. Mr Kellogg will have an ordinary ehnir.

The historic- scene will he permanently recorded, even to the words uttered, as cabled yesterday. The inkpot, as well gis the pen to be used, will be of gold. The inkstands will be the same as were used 150 years ago by Benjamin Franklin to sign the first Treaty between France and the United States, and latterly used tor the Treaties of Versailles and Trianon.

Mr Kellogg is expected to say a few words in reply to M. Briaml s (the French Foreign Minister) opening address.

It is expected that the others will not make much use of the right to speak.

MANY OTHER. NATIONS. LONDON, August 25. Forty-eight hours after the fifteen nations, including Australia, have appended their signature to the historic document outlawing war. forty-seven other nations of the world, including Russia, will have 'received invitations to adhere their signatures. Denmark has already announced that she will be ready when the time arrives. It is expected that many other nations will fall into line, though whether Russia will live up to M. Litvinoff’s total disarmament gesture of last February remains to he seen. Likewise it remains to he seen if those of the Balkan States which are still standing out will be able to extricate themselves from petty squabbles and fall in line with the Great Powers of the world.