TALKS IN LONDON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 58, Issue 43, 30 November 1937, Page 5

TALKS IN LONDON

BRITISH AND FRENCH POLICY. LOWERING ECONOMIC BARRIERS SOME ENCOURAGING FACTORS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) LONDON, November 29. The French Prime Minister (M. Camille Chautemps) and the Foreign Minister (M. Y. Delbos) arrived in London last night to begin their talks with members of the British Cabinet. Commenting on to-day’s talks, the diplomatic correspondent of ‘ 1 The Times” says one of the encouraging factors in the present situation is that just as Britain and France accept, and do not desire to influence, the BerlinRome axis, so, on the other side, it is recognised that London and Paris are linked by special relations. The British and French Ministers will most carefully examine possibilities of establishing better relations between their respective Governments and those of Berlin and Rome, but it is emphasised that there can be no question of, effecting such a rapprochement at the expense of a fifth or any other party—indeed, no such proposal, whether affecting Austria, Czechoslovakia, or any other country, has ever been put forward. It is submitted that Germany’s colonial claims will be fully discussed, but it will not be forgotten that the other mandatories—Belgium, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand—are also concerned.

The same detailed consideration will be given to the complex of British and Italian, and France and Italian relations. This will naturally involve con sideration of the Spanish question, although this issue is now regarded as less acute as a cause of international discussion. The British Government is far more concerned with the latest trend of developments in the Far Ehst, which has superseded Spain as the chief focus of anxiety. Difficult and anxious as the European situation is, the international temperature is judged in London to -he lower than of late, and the threat of war cannot now be said to be immediate. At such a moment it is felt that diplomacy has a chance of which the British and French Ministers desire to make the best use possible. The Paris correspondent of “ The Times” says that the French preoccupation, like the British, is to initiate fruitful co-operation with Germany and Italy, regardless of differences in regime, but it is emphasised that attempts to dissociate Britain and France are doomed to failure.

Moreover, there is no question of either country giving up existing friendships or its League obligations. The common task, it is held, is to explore all possibilities of collaboration between the two groups of Powers,' without either sacrificing to tlie other its essential pi’inciples and vital interests. It follows, therefore, that any readiness on the part of the Western Powers to make concessions must be accompanied by the willingness of the other Powers to abate the economic barriers behind which they are entrenching themselves. MOST SUCCESSFUL YET HELD. WORLD-WIDE SURVEY MADE. (Received This Day, 10.45 a.in.) LONDON, November 29. The Anglo-French talks will be resumed to-morrow. It is understood that at the beginning of the proceedings Viscount Halifax reported fully regarding his recent visit to Germany. It is manifest that the French Ministers fully understood the scope of the conversations which Lord Halifax had with German statesmen and that the limited purpose which was intended had been fulfilled. The colonial question was then discussed, and it was agreed it would require further examination. The Ministers’ review of the international situation then touched upon the forthcoming visit by M. Delbos to Central Europe, both Governments being concerned for the preservation of peace in those countries as elsewhere. Ministers did not fail to give attention to the situation in the Far East, the seriousness of which was fully appreciated. There was agreement also on the need for vigilance to safeguard the interests at stake. The situation in Spain was also examined and British and French Ministers took note that the policy of nonintervention had been fully justified. Those in close touch with the proceedings to-day declare that both the British and French representatives were very well satisfied and indeed the conference is regarded as one of the most successful ever held.—-British Official Wireless. THE ATTITUDE OF GERMANY. POLITICAL BARTER REJECTED. (Received This Day, 11.5 a.m.) BERLIN, November 29. Arising out of foreign press speculations on the outcome of M. Chautemps’ visit to London a semi-official statement lias been issued to the ioieign press, affirming that Germany rejects political barter in matters affecting her legal claims, the alleged details of which belong to the realm of surmise. ORDERS TO ITALIAN PRESS. TO “TONE-DOWN” ANTI-FRENCH CAMPAIGN. (Received This Day, 9.5 a.m.) ROME, November 29. It is understood that the press has been instructed to “tone-down” the anti-French campaign.