A. —5d

10

IV. The German Government next declare themselves prepared to conclude with France and with the other States, parties to the Rhineland Pact, arbitration treaties guaranteeing " a peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflicts." France considers that such arbitration treaties would be the natural complement of a Rhineland pact. But it must be understood that they should apply to all disputes of whatever nature, and should not leave room for coercive action save in case of failure to observe the provisions of the various treaties and agreements contemplated in the present note. To give full effect to these treaties their observance ought to be assured by the joint and several guarantee of the Powers who participate in the territorial guarantee contained in the Rhineland pact. V. In their memorandum the German Government added that they were ready to conclude with all States who were so disposed arbitration treaties of the same kind. The Allied Governments note this assurance with satisfaction. They even consider that, in the absence of such agreements between Germany and those of her neighbours who, without being parties to the suggested Rhineland pact, are signatories of the Treaty of Versailles, the object aimed at by the pact could not be attained nor the peace of Europe completely guaranteed. The Allied States, in fact, have, under the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Treaties of Peace, rights which they cannot possibly give up and obligations of which they cannot possibly divest themselves. The arbitration treaties thus conceived would have the same scope as those contemplated in paragraph IV and would be backed by the same joint and several guarantee. VI. In the opinion of the French Government the general guarantee of security necessary for the maintenance of peace cannot be effectively assured unless the agreements contemplated in the present note form an indivisible whole. They consider therefore that all the agreements, the observance of which should in each case be guaranteed by the signature of the same Powers, ought to be co-ordinated in a general convention registered by the League of Nations, placed under the auspices of the League and capable of forming, as suggested in the German memorandum itself, the nucleus of a still more general pacific entente. Finally, it goes without saying that if the United States were to find it possible to associate themselves with the agreements which would thus be realised, France would be only too happy to see the great American nation participate in this work of general peace and security. Such are the principal points on which it has appeared necessary to obtain precise knowledge of the views of the German Government. The Allied Governments would be glad to receive a reply on this subject which will permit the opening of negotiations with the object of concluding agreements which will constitute a new and effective guarantee of peace. May 12, 1925.

IV. The German Government next declare themselves prepared to conclude with France and with the other States, parties to the Rhineland Pact, arbitration treaties guaranteeing " a peaceful settlement of juridical and political conflicts." Prance considers that an arbitration treaty of the Tcind proposed would, be the natural complement of a Rhineland pact. But it must be understood that as between herself and Germany it would apply to all disputes of whatever nature and should not leave room for coercive action save where such action may be taken consistently with the provisions of treaties in force between the ■parties. It is hoped, that the Belgian Government will be disposed to enter into a similar treaty. To give full effect to these two treaties their observance ought to be assured by the joint and several guarantee of the Powers which participate in the territorial guarantee contained in the Rhineland pact, so as to ensure that any failure to refer a dispute to arbitration or to carry out an award would, if coupled with a resort to hostilities, bring the guarantee into immediate operation. In tthe absence of a resort to hostilities, the Council of he League shall propose what steps shoidd be taken to give effect to the treaty. V. In their memorandum the German Government added that they were ready to conclude with all States who were so disposed arbitration treaties of the same kind. The Allied Governments note this assurance with satisfaction. They even consider that, in the absence of such agreements between Germany and those of her neighbours who, without being parties to the suggested Rhineland pact, are signatories of the Treaty of Versailles, the peace of Europe, towards which the pact is an essential step, could not be completely guaranteed. The Allied States, in fact, have, under the Covenant of the League of Nations and the Treaties of Peace, rights which they cannot possibly give up and obligations of which they cannot possibly divest themselves. VI. Nothing in the treaties contemplated in the present note would affect the rights and obligations attaching to membership of the League of Nations under the covenant. VII. The general guarantee of security necessary for the maintenance of peace cannot be completely ensured unless all the agreements aimed at in the present note come into force simultaneously. Finally, it goes without saying that, if the United States were to find it possible to associate themselves with the agreements which would thus be realised, France would be only too happy to see the great American nation participate in this work of general peace and security. Such are the principal points on which it has appeared necessary to obtain precise knowledge of the views of the German Government. The French Government would be glad to receive a reply on this subject which will permit the opening of negotiations with the object of concluding agreements which will constitute a new and effective guarantee of peace.