THE TREATY OF LOCARNO, 1925
Original photograph of the delegates to the Locarno Treaty, signed on the mount in ink by the principal delegates of all the countries represented. An important historical memento of a treaty which was to have repercussions in the build-up to the second world war. The photograph is dated in ink at the head 16 October 1925, the day the treaty was signed.
The seven nations present at the Locarno treaty were Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The main three were Britain, France and Germany. The signatories to the photograph are Benito Mussolini, Dino Grandi and Vittorio Scialoja for Italy, Austen Chamberlain for England, Aristide Briand for France, Edward Benes; for Czechoslovakia, Gustav Stresemann and Hans Luther for Germany.
The terms of the treaty were:
Germany, France and Belgium would accept each other's borders, set up by the treaty of Versailles (this was another way of saying that neither of the three countries were to invade each other). Britain and Italy agreed to ensure that all three countries kept to this agreement. They were willing to take action. Germany was allowed to join the League of Nations. The main agreement (i.e. the one that prevented invasion) did not include support on the Eastern side of Germany.
In separate treaty, also signed at Locarno, France promised to defend Belgium, Poland and Czechoslovakia if they were attacked by Germany.
Germany gained respect and equality for the first time since the war.
France and Belgium were given safety from German invasion which was a major problem. Germany had consistently invaded France since its formation in 1870.
Britain and Italy gained respect and also saw Europe being shaped the way they wanted it.
Slight foxing and some original glue stains. Most of the signatures very clear, but that of Benes rather faint.
[No: 20461]