LEAGUE OBLIGATIONS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 306, 9 October 1935, Page 5

LEAGUE OBLIGATIONS.

FRENCH AND BRITISH DISCUSSIONS.

PROBLEMS OP MEDITERRANEAN

LONDON, October 7

The French Government, in reply to an inquiry addressed orally to the French Ambassador on September 24 by Sir Samuel H ; oare about the French attitude in the eA 7 ent of an attack on the British Fleet in the Mediterranean, says that the British suggestions for mutual support in the circumstances en\ r isaged in the inquiry fill \ T ery op portunely the gap in the system of collective security to Avhich the two Governments are firmly attached. . Such an obligation, hoAvever, must be reciprocated, must apply equally or. land and sea and in the air, must apply in relation to non-members as well as members of the League of Nations, and should invoh’e very close collaboration beforehand.

Subject to these conditions, the French Government is ready to assume, in regard to Britain, the following undertakings:—“lf either of the tAvo PoAvers judges it necessary to take military, naval, or air measures with a view to placing itself in a position to carry out, in case of need, its obligations of assistance arising out of the Covenant of the League or the Treaties of Locarho, it will enter into consultation on the subject with the other Power. The procedure shall be similar if either of the tAvo Powers judges it necessary to take military, naval, or ail measures with a Anew to placing itself in a position to meet, should it arise, a situation in which under the Covenant or the Treaties of Locarno, it Avould be entitled to receß-e the assistance of

the other Power. . “The fact that one or other of the two Powers, after consultation and the consequent agreement, takes the measures referred to above, shall not on that account be regarded as constituting provocation such as would justify any failure by a third State to fulfil its international obligations. “If/either of the two Powers is attacked on account of such measures, taken after consultation and _ agreement, the other Power will assist it. The French Government asks for a reciprocal undertaking on the part of the British Government. It is understood that the British Government desires to elucidate certain points in the French reply.-—British Official Wireless.