The Archive · 1936

Locarno Plan Outlined in White Paper

London, Mar. 20.

A White Paper giving' the details of the agreement reached by the Locarno Powers—Britain, France, Belgium and Ilaly—on the questions raised by Germany's action In send-Ing troops Into the demilitarized zone in defiance of the Locarno Treaty, was {abled in the House of Commons this The document is divided into two parts. The first deals with measures arising from the infringement of the Locarno Treaty by Germany, and the second provides the frame-work for an ultimate international conference, The Arst part, after arming the infringement of the Locarno Treaty, lays down that an agreement stall be Immediately concluded between the General Stafts of the Locarno Powers, who shall arrange provisional measures for mutual assistance, Germany will be Invited 18 abide! by the decision of The Hague Court concerning the compatibility or otherwise of the Franco-Soviet pact with {tke Locarno Treaty.

Measures are outlined to maintain] order and security while the Court reaching a decision, The measures stipulate:

1, Maintenance of the status quo of the military forces Inthe Rhine Jana?

2 Maintenance of the status quo by araemililary forces tu the Hnine> land apart {rom the Relchsweht; 3. The status quo in connection with, fortifeations:

4. Despatch of an international force eastward of "the Franco-Belgian frontier in a 20-kilometre strip territory; and 5, International commission to super= visa execution of the measures.

If Germany agrees to the foregoing, she will be invited to negotiate on the basis of 1. The proposals in. the Hitler memmorandum of March 7, excluding re-entry into the League; of the status of the Rhine.

3% Pact of mutual assistance to r0- place the Locarno Treaty.

The second part of the White Paper invites a world conference, 1, To organise collective security; 2 More exactly to define the obliga-Hons in the application of Article XVE of the Covenant; To limit armaments; and 4. To examine the conditions upon which Germany will return to the League and conclude an East Euro:

pean pact—Reuter,

Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.

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